Elisha “Cadillac” Harris is a longtime teacher and coach in Hampton Roads. Currently, he is teaching Advanced Physical Education and Driver’s Education at Indian River High School in Chesapeake. He has taught and coached football/track and field at schools all over Hampton Roads and Northern North Carolina, including Elizabeth City State University, Norfolk State University, Maury High School, Green Run High School and Kempsville High School. Cadillac teaches his athletes and students life-long tools for success. He has coached numerous players who have achieved academic and athletic success in college and beyond. Five of his former student athletes played in the NFL, three of whom played in Super Bowls. Several of his athletes earned local, state and national championships in Track and Field. Others have gone on to achieve success in business, education and the military. Cadillac is a native of Virginia Beach. One of his youth football coaches called him “Cadillac” after his favorite car that had been in several collisions, but never stopped running. The nickname stuck. Cadillac graduated from Norfolk State University, where he helped lead the football team to three back to back CIAA championships. Upon graduation, Cadillac had a brief trial with the Dallas Cowboys. Then he came home to do what he loved, coach high school football. Cadillac earned his Masters degree in Administration and Supervision from George Washington University. He donates as much of his “spare” time as possible to supporting community events, motivational speaking, volunteering at football camps and counseling young people of all ages. He co-founded the annual “Cadillac Harris Braves Open” which raised more than $100,000 for student athletes at Chesapeake Public Schools. He is a member of Mt. Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, New Chesapeake Men for Progress, Braves Men for Progress and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He and his wife Bonita have three daughters.
