University of Richmond Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Defensive Ends
- Email:
- cellis2@richmond.edu
- Phone:
- 287-6846
2024 marked Ellis’ third season as defensive ends coach on Russ Huesman’s staff. The former NFL and Virginia Tech standout brings over 20 years of playing and coaching experience to the Spiders.
In 2024, Ellis continued to develop Richmond’s defensive ends, marking his third consecutive year with both starting ends earning All-CAA honors. Ellis led Jeremiah Grant to First Team All-CAA and First Team All-America honors, and Grant finished third in voting for the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award, which is given annually to the top defensive player in the FCS. Grant's redshirt senior season saw him lead the FCS with 13.5 sacks and an FCS-leading 98 sack yards. Under Ellis' guidance, Grant finished his career second on Richmond's all-time list for sacks in a season (13.5) and fifth in career sacks with 21.5. Ellis also mentored Camden Byrd to Second Team All-CAA honors. Together, Grant and Byrd combined for 98 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 20.5 sacks. Ellis helped guide Richmond to third in the CAA in rush defense, allowing only 1,657 rushing yards for the season. With Ellis’ leadership, the 2024 Spiders finished 10-3, reached the FCS Playoffs for a third consecutive year, and won back-to-back conference championships for just the second time in program history. The team finished the regular season with 10 wins, its best regular-season record since 2009. Ellis played a key role in Richmond completing an undefeated 8-0 conference season—the second such accomplishment in program history—while the 2024 team became just the seventh in CAA history to finish conference play unbeaten.
In 2023, Ellis led his defensive ends—Marlem Louis (Third Team) and Jeremiah Grant (Third Team)—to All-CAA honors. Louis was also recognized by Phil Steele as a Second Team All-CAA member. Ellis’ group of defensive ends was a major force throughout the 2023 season, with Louis, Camden Byrd, Jeremiah Grant, and Zander Barnett combining for 103 tackles, 17.5 sacks, and 152 tackle yards.
In his first season on staff in 2022, Ellis guided defensive ends Marlem Louis (First Team) and Jeremiah Grant (Second Team) to All-CAA honors. He also worked with the entire defensive line, where Carsen Stocklinski made the offseason switch from offensive line to defensive line, and Ray Eldridge was named Third Team All-CAA. Ellis’ defensive ends were one of the strongest position groups in 2022, with Louis, Grant, and Zander Barnett combining for 113 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 159 tackle yards.
Ellis joined the Spiders after spending the 2021 season as the defensive line coach at Christopher Newport. He also coached in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as the defensive line coach for the BC Lions in 2019.
Ellis is no stranger to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), having coached as the defensive ends coach at New Hampshire for two seasons (2017-18) under head coach Sean McDonnell. Ellis helped the Wildcats reach the 2017 NCAA FCS Playoffs, advancing to the quarterfinals with wins over Central Connecticut State and Central Arkansas. During his tenure, he helped guide Rick Holt and Jae’Wuan Horton to All-CAA honors.
Ellis worked for three seasons at Christopher Newport during his first stint with the Captains (2014-17). In 2014, he worked alongside current Spider defensive coordinator and former CNU defensive coordinator Justin Wood. He helped Christopher Newport advance to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs that year.
Ellis was a standout at Virginia Tech, becoming an All-Atlantic Coast Conference defensive end with the Hokies. He played in four bowl games during his time in Blacksburg, including the Sugar Bowl (2005) and the Orange Bowl (2008). Ellis was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played for the Bills for three seasons before spending two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
His professional career concluded in the 2012 season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. Following his playing career, Ellis began his coaching journey as a coaching intern at Frostburg State University in 2013.
Ellis graduated from Virginia Tech in 2007 with a degree in apparel, housing, and business management. He played all four years with the Hokies under legendary head coach Frank Beamer.
