The NC State Wolfpack football family is grieving a profound loss. Defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot’s daughter, Drue, passed away on Saturday after a five-year battle with cancer, leaving the Eliot family heartbroken. Her courage and spirit touched everyone who knew her, and her passing has rocked the Wolfpack community that stood by her side throughout her fight.

NC State’s official football account released a message of solidarity, writing: “Please join us in praying for DJ Eliot and his family during this time of tremendous loss.” “His daughter, Drue, died after a five-year battle with cancer. Thinking of the Eliot family today,” On3 Sport’s Noah Fleschman wrote on X. With the heartbreaking news, the Elliot family is going through a tough time.

Who Is D.J. Eliot’s Wife, Miekel Marsh?

D.J. Eliot’s wife, Miekel Marsh, is from Colorado. Eliot, on the other hand, is from Edmond, Oklahoma. The couple has four children. Although not much information is available about how the couple met. The couple fought together, holding each other’s hands, as the news of their daughter’s cancer nearly broke them.

Drue was first diagnosed with pediatric cancer in 2020, during the height of the pandemic. The couple was shattered but hadn’t lost hope. The first thing Eliot did was start making a plan on how to beat the cancer. “Just like when you face an opponent, it doesn’t matter how good they are, you have to believe that you’re going to win,” Eliot said on the Jayawker podcast. “And you believe you’re going to win if the leader believes he’s going to win. So my wife and I have had great strength and belief that we’re going to defeat it.”

D.J. Eliot’s Children

DJ Eliot and Miekel have four children. Dawson is the only son in the family and has three sisters. Drue, Page, and Reace. Although not much is known about the children, except for Drue’s painful cancer journey. It had been a challenging time for the family.

Although he wasn’t as close-knit with the people, given that he had just relocated to Kansas, the whole community came in to support the family in those challenging times. It is reported that people brought meals, offered to babysit the kids, and much more. “The fact that they’re all willing to help us in the way that they are shows you what kind of community it is,” Eliot said.

D.J. Eliot’s Relationship With His Wife and Kids

Across his nearly 27  years of experience in collegiate coaching, Eliot, 41, has made stops at Kansas, Colorado, Florida State, Miami, and Kentucky, working across the NFL, the ACC, the SEC, the Big 12, and the Pac-12. Despite a challenging job that requires a 24/7 effort, the coach has consistently prioritized his family.

Back in 2017, Eliot’s taking up the Colorado job was a happy affair for the family. “We’re fired up about it,” as he put it. Both D.J. and Miekel have strong memories attached to the place. Miekel grew up in Colorado and lives 20 minutes away from the campus. For them, it was homecoming.

Heartbreak in the Eliot Family–The Loss of Drue Eliot

The family was devastated when Drue’s cancer report came through. Back then, Eliot had joined Kansas after a successful stint at Colorado. “When we got the news that Drue had cancer, we were devastated, all of us. And you really become a lot closer,” said Eliot. “Our family is definitely a lot closer now than we were because we’re all going through this together. We had to get a plan in place and attack this cancer, and that took some time.”

“Her school did an assembly for her at a basketball game. Everybody wore T-shirts with her name on it and her favorite color.” Eliot added. Drue was genuinely loved by everyone. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family during this incredibly difficult time. May they find strength and comfort in the support of family, friends, and the Wolfpack community.