Elijah Shaah begins his first season on the Quincy University football coaching staff in 2026 as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Shaah comes to Quincy after serving four seasons as defensive coordinator at Siena Heights University from 2022-25, where he established one of the NAIA's premier defensive units. During his tenure, the Saints produced 23 All-MSFA selections, three NAIA All-Americans, 42 Academic All-MSFA honorees, and 27 NAIA Scholar-Athletes while setting 29 school records.
Under Shaah's leadership, Siena Heights consistently ranked among the top defensive teams in both the Mid-States Football Association and the NAIA. The 2025 Saints led the nation with 42 sacks and tied for 14th nationally in fumble recoveries. In 2024, the defense ranked 11th nationally in third-down defense. His 2022 unit finished fifth nationally in total defense (234.0 yards per game), third nationally in rushing defense (53.1 yards per game), tied for 10th in sacks (36.5), and ninth in third-down defense while leading the conference in both total and rushing defense.
Shaah also developed numerous standout student-athletes throughout his tenure. In 2022, he coached linebacker Kole Murlin to the NAIA Cliff Harris Award, NAIA First Team All-America honors, and MSFA Defensive Player of the Year recognition. In 2025, Clarke Hamilton earned NAIA All-America honors and was named the MSFA Defensive Player of the Year, while Aj Knox garnered All-America recognition after leading the NAIA with 10.5 sacks and finishing fifth nationally in tackles for loss. Shaah also helped develop multiple student-athletes who went on to continue their careers at the NCAA Division I FBS, FCS, and Division II levels.
Prior to becoming Siena Heights' defensive coordinator, Shaah served as passing game coordinator and safeties coach at Gannon University in 2021 after coaching the defensive backs at Lawrence Technological University from 2019-20.
A native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Shaah was a four-year letterwinner at Siena Heights from 2015-18. Appearing in all 40 games of his collegiate career, he totaled 125 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, six sacks, and three pass breakups while helping the Saints capture their first conference championship and field two nationally ranked No. 1 defenses. He earned Academic All-Conference honors before graduating in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in sport management.
Shaah later earned his Master of Business Administration from Lawrence Technological University in 2021.
