ELON – The Elon football head coach Tony Trisciani announced the hiring of Jalen Hairston as the program's cornerbacks coach Wednesday. Hairston joins the Phoenix after spending the past two seasons as a defensive back coach at the University of Maine.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Jalen to Elon football," Trisciani said. "He brings a wealth of CAA football and coordinator experience to our program. We are excited to welcome both his fiancé Nia and two-year-old son Jace to our Elon football family."
 
Hairston served as the safeties coach and defensive passing game coordinator within his role at Maine. He helped the Black Bears to a six-game winning streak this past season in which the Maine defense allowed 14 points or less in four of those games.
 
"I'm really excited to be back home," said Hairston, who grew up an hour north of Elon in Virginia. "I want to thank Coach Trisciani for allowing me to have the opportunity to come here. I'm ready to get to work and continue to build on the success that has been here at Elon University."
 
Hairston will have a pair of corners in Senquavious Alsobrooks and Brycen Scott back in the cornerback room. The two have combined for 14 starts at corner over the last two seasons.
 
Before his time in Orono, he spent two seasons (2022-23) at his alma mater, University of Charleston (W. Va.), where he served as the defensive coordinator and coached both safeties and linebackers. In 2023, he helped lead the Golden Eagles to a 10-2 record and their first NCAA Division II playoff win in school history. The defense was first in Division II in defensive touchdowns and ranked in the top 30 in third down percentage (18^th), defensive pass game efficiency (107%), interceptions (29^th) and sacks (30^th).
 
A native of Martinsville, Virginia, Hairston has recruiting experience across both North and South Carolina as well as Virginia. A graduate of the University of Charleston (W. Va.), Hairston played three seasons with the Golden Eagles from 2015-18 before earning his degree in political science. He later earned his masters in strategic leadership.
 
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