Phil Elmassian is in his first season as Purdue’s defensive backs coach.

Though new to the Boilermakers, Elmassian isn’t new to the coaching profession by any means.

Elmassian brings 20 years of NCAA Division I coaching experience with him to West Lafayette.

His most recent assignment was at Marshall, where he coached the linebackers and the defensive kicking game during the 2002 season.

Previously, Elmassian was the defensive coordinator at West Virginia in 2001; defensive coordinator at Louisiana State in 2000; defensive backs coach at Wisconsin from 1997-1999; defensive coordinator at Boston College in 1996; defensive backs coach at Washington in 1995; defensive coordinator at Virginia Tech in 1993 and 1994; defensive backs coach at Syracuse in 1991 and 1992; inside linebackers coach at Virginia from 1987-1990; defensive backs coach at Virginia Tech in 1985 and 1986; defensive backs coach at Minnesota in 1984; and defensive backs coach at East Carolina in 1983.

During his 10-plus teams and 20 years of coaching, Elmassian has been to 14 bowl games and coached 17 all-conference performers. His defenses have performed well, too, over the years.

During his stop in Wisconsin, the Badgers led the nation in scoring defense in 1998, averaging just fewer than 12 points per game and the following year were ranked fifth while allowing just 12.8 points per game. In the Big Ten, his Badgers were first in scoring defense, total defense and passing defense in 1999. He was also part of the Big Ten’s first ever back-to-back Rose Bowl-winning teams in 1998 and 1999 at Wisconsin.

Just a couple of years later, Elmassian’s West Virginia defense ranked first in the nation in passing defense, allowing a mere 136.7 yards per game.

Elmassian’s long coaching trip to Purdue began at William & Mary, his alma mater, in 1974, where he coached quarterbacks and running backs for two seasons.

He then moved on to coach Richmond’s quarterbacks and running backs from 1976-1978. In 1979, Elmassian received his first coordinator position at Ferrum Junior College, where he coached until 1982.

A native of Cambridge, Mass., the defensive-minded Elmassian played quarterback at Ferrum before transferring to William & Mary where he was converted to a defensive back under the tutelage of Lou Holtz.

Elmassian earned a bachelor’s degree in 1974.

He and his wife, Mary Claire, have three children, Claire, Dylan and Olivia.