Are both of these moves really promotions? I think it is for Polian, but what about Elston? He was previously Associate Head Coach. Is he retaining that title? If he is, then yes, adding recruiting coordinator, as well as run game or run defense coordinator, whichever it is, would be a bit of a promotion. That would mean there are now two Associate Head Coaches.
But, otherwise, they're just switching roles between RC and AHC, as Polian was RC previously.
Whatever it takes, I guess, to keep, what has been up to this point, our two best recruiters on staff. Maybe Mike Elston is happy where he is, and is not going to leave unless it's to be a head coach elsewhere. If that's the case then that's a great situation for ND to be in. Of course, the bump in pay that they both likely received shows that he is appreciated.