Marcus Freeman sends condolences to DJ Eliot over the loss of his daughter, Drue, ahead of NC State game

Marcus Freeman knows some things are bigger than football. So before diving into his preview of this NC State defense this week, the Notre Dame coach offered up some kind words to Wolfpack defensive coordinator DJ Eliot after the loss of his daughter, Drue.

Drue tragically passed away last month after a battle with cancer. Eliot did not coach last week against Virginia Tech but will make his return to the sidelines on Saturday. Freeman made sure to let him know that he and the Fighting Irish had been thinking of him.

“I know their defensive coordinator, DJ Elliot, is expected to be back this week following the loss of his daughter, Drue,” the coach said. “I think it’s important that hopefully he knows and his family knows that they’re in the prayers and thoughts of everybody, but especially mine.”

Drue Margaret Eliot was diagnosed with pediatric cancer back in 2020, when DJ was coaching at Kansas, per Chris Vannini of The Athletic. It’s a loss that left the entire Wolfpack community mourning as well as countless people close with the Eliot family.

DJ Eliot is in his first season as defensive coordinator for NC State and is also the linebackers coach. At the moment, NC State’s defense ranks eighth in the ACC against the run (121.8 yards), 14th in scoring (29.3), 15th against the pass (290.3) and 15th in total defense (414). Kickoff between the Wolfpack and Fighting Irish is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

DJ Eliot, family establish fundraiser to honor late daughter’s fight with cancer

DJ Eliot’s family established a fundraiser to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in honor of his late daughter. It will impact the hospital’s the Oncology Nurse Navigator Program, in gratitude for Krista Quinn, RN, who was “Drue’s rock throughout her treatment.” The donation page is available HERE.

“Drue embraced all life had to offer and loved just being surrounded by her friends and family,” the family wrote on the fundraiser page. “She simply wanted nothing more than to be a normal teenager and lived her life that way.   It is impossible to measure how much she was loved by her parents, Miekel and DJ, her siblings, Reace, Page, and Dawson, and her large extended family.

“In memory of Drue, her family would like to honor the team who tirelessly fought by her side, in hopes that the path for others can be easier.”