The Fort Bend Elkins Knights added four new members to their football coaching staff Sunday, Aug. 23, less than a week before the program's season opener at Mayde Creek.

The program announced the hires on its official X account, posting photos of the new coaches and citing experience, energy, leadership and passion as qualities the additions bring. The program did not name the coaches in the post.

Head coach Trae Grimes enters his fourth season leading the Knights with a 14-18 career record at the school. Elkins finished 5-5 overall and 3-4 in District 21-6A play in 2025. A 28-24 loss to Fort Bend Bush in the final regular-season game kept the Knights out of the playoffs by one spot.

The staff additions come as Elkins returns 14 starters for 2026. Nine play on defense and five on offense, with 26 total lettermen back. Key returners include senior quarterback Mike Holmes, junior quarterback Robert Evans, senior running back Johnny Jay Palmer, junior running back Tyson Craft, senior middle linebacker Emari Heyman and senior strong safety Camari Lewis.

Senior receivers Saxon Gumabong and Ethan Ramos also return to a roster built to push for the postseason after two straight years on the bubble.

The program's trajectory under Grimes has trended upward. Elkins went 2-8 in both 2022 and 2023 before posting a 6-5 mark in 2024 and the 5-5 finish in 2025.

Elkins opens Friday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. at Mayde Creek in a non-district game. The home opener at Mercer Stadium is Friday, Sept. 4, at 6:30 p.m. against Pearland Dawson. The Knights travel to Clear Falls on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 6:30 p.m. before District 21-6A play begins Friday, Oct. 2, at Fort Bend Travis.