| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 25, 1942 |
| Alma mater | Kalamazoo College (1964) |
| Playing career | |
| 1960–1963 | Kalamazoo |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1964–1965 | Gull Lake HS (MI) |
| 1966 | Western Michigan (GA) |
| 1967–1969 | Niles East HS (IL) |
| 1970–1971 | Triton |
| 1972 | Northern Illinois (assistant) |
| 1973–1982 | Grand Valley State |
| 1983–1992 | Eastern Michigan |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 109–86–6 (college) 11–4–2 (junior college) |
| Bowls | 1–0 |
| Tournaments | 1–1 (NAIA D-I playoffs) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 3 GLIAC (1977–1978, 1981) 1 MAC (1987) | |
| Awards | |
| MAC Coach of the Year (1987) | |
Elson James Harkema (born June 25, 1942) is former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan from 1973 to 1982 and at Eastern Michigan University from 1983 to 1992, compiling a career college football record of 109–86–6. Harkema played college football as a quarterback at Kalamazoo College.