Elias began his coaching career at Richmond High School in Richmond, Indiana from 1950 to 1952. In his last two seasons there, he led two undefeated teams to consecutive North Central Conference championships and set the longest Indiana interscholastic winning streak at 22 games. In 1956, Elias was promoted from an assistant position to head backfield coach at Purdue.
Elias began coaching at Richmond High School in Richmond, Indiana from 1950 to 1952. In his final two seasons, he led unbeaten teams to consecutive North Central Conference championships and established the longest winning streak for Indiana high schools at 22 games. In 1956, Elias was promoted from an assistant coach to head backfield coach at Purdue.