The UCF offensive line, under the direction of Glen Elarbee the last two years, has played a major role in the Knights’ overall offensive success—including a record-setting season for the running game in 2018.
Elarbee joined the UCF football staff as the program’s offensive line coach in December 2017 and was promoted to assistant head coach for offense in the summer of 2019.
Elarbee’s first year in Orlando in 2018 was highlighted by one of the best offensive lines in program history, as the Knights repeated their undefeated regular season and won a second straight American Athletic Conference Championship. UCF set the program rushing record with 3,448 yards on the ground behind a powerful line, which was the eighth-best ground attack in the country.
UCF totaled 522.7 yards of total offense per game, good for fifth nationally. The Knights also excelled in pass protection with just 19 sacks allowed all season, which ranked 25th nationally. Jordan Johnson, Cole Schneider and Jake Brown all earned AAC first-team all-conference honors, while Wyatt Miller picked up second-team honors.
For his work in 2018, Elarbee was named a semifinalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in collegiate football. It marked the second time in his career he had been nominated for the award.
In 2019 UCF again had one of the most productive offenses in the nation. The Knights averaged 540.5 total yards (second in the nation and an all-time UCF single-season record) and 43.4 points per outing (fifth nationally). The offensive line helped protect freshman quarterback Dillon Gabriel who played a major role in UCF ranking eighth with its 316.7 passing yards per game. A diversified Knights’ rush attack (ranking 19th nationally) saw the top four runners—Otis Anderson, Adrian Killins, Bentavious Thompson and Greg McCrae--combine for 2,488 yards, 27 TDs and an amazing average of 6.46 yards per carry.
Brown in 2019 claimed a second consecutive first-team all-AAC honor, while Schneider won second-team recognition. They’ve paved the way for a UCF running game that in 2018 and 2019 allowed the Knights to top the 200-yard per-game mark in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history and only the third year overall.
Elarbee came to UCF after coaching the offensive line at Missouri (while working with Josh Heupel) for two seasons in 2016-17. His line at Mizzou helped the Tigers to 2017 national ranks of No. 7 in total offense, No. 7 in sacks allowed, No. 10 in scoring offense, No. 14 in passing offense, No. 21 in first downs, No. 23 in red zone offense and No. 35 in rushing offense. Elarbee took over a Tiger offensive line in 2016 that had no returning starters and molded that group into one of the top lines in the nation. In 2016, Missouri was No. 13 in total offense, No. 20 in passing offense, No. 38 in rushing offense and No. 48 in scoring offense after the Tigers were no higher than No. 113 in those categories the year before. His 2016 unit led the nation in fewest tackles-for-loss allowed and were No. 16 in fewest sacks allowed.
Following the 2016 season, Elarbee was nominated for the Broyles Award for the first time. He was one of just three position coaches and the only offensive line coach nominated.
Elarbee coached successful offensive lines for six seasons at various programs prior to his stint at Mizzou. At Arkansas State from 2014-15, he also served as co-offensive coordinator. The Red Wolves were 8-0 in Sun Belt play in 2015, winning a conference title. Elarbee’s Arkansas State offensive line paved the way for the No. 12 scoring offense and the No. 15 rushing offense in the nation. He coached two first-team All-Sun Belt performers in his tenure with the Red Wolves.
Elarbee coached the Houston offensive line in 2013, helping the Cougars to an 8-5 record and leading one of his linemen to second-team All-AAC honors. He was at Middle Tennessee State in 2012 when the Blue Raiders’ offensive line was No. 2 nationally in sacks allowed and featured an All-Sun Belt performer. Elarbee was also at West Georgia for two seasons, coaching the offensive line in 2010 and serving as offensive coordinator in 2011. At West Georgia, he coached an All-America wide receiver and a Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year.
In 2008 and 2009, Elarbee was a graduate assistant coach at Oklahoma State. He was also a graduate assistant with the 2007 LSU team that won the national championship. He coached the offensive line at East Central Community College in 2006. He was on the coaching staff for three years at his alma mater, Middle Tennessee—one year as tight ends coach and two as a graduate assistant.
Elarbee played 35 career games for the Blue Raiders, starting his final 23. He was a two-time all-conference performer and a four-year letter-winner, leading Middle Tennessee to its first Sun Belt Championship in 2001.
