Texas College hires former Cowboys DE Greg Ellis as head football coach
Former Dallas Cowboys standout Greg Ellis is the new head coach of Texas College in Tyler, the school announced this week.
Ellis takes over the NAIA program, although it will not compete in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The school has moved to online instruction for fall 2020.
Football players will still train and meet virtually.
“I am excited about the opportunity,” Ellis said in a news release. “Since we are not able to play any games this year, we will maximize our virtual capabilities to the fullest.
“I am looking forward to working with all the young men and meeting their families. We have a lot of work ahead of us; nevertheless, we are ready for the challenge to be successful on and off the field.”
Ellis had a successful 12-year career in the NFL, including 11 seasons with the Cowboys, which drafted him with the eighth overall pick in 1998. He made the Pro Bowl in 2007.
Ellis closed his career with the Oakland Raiders in 2009. He finished with 84 sacks in his career.
After his playing days, Ellis served as founder and CEO of Play Now Enterprise, a multi-media production company that produced the film “Carter High” and plays such as “Juneteenth” and “Watchnight”.
“[Ellis’] professional experiences and philosophies as a player, coach, as well as civic leader, mirror that which our athletic programs are built upon,” said school president Dwight J. Fennell in a statement. “His commitment to ensuring student-athletes not only develop physically, but also intellectually aligns with Texas College’s mission. We anticipate Coach Ellis’ leadership to greatly benefit our program in a multitude of ways, including student success and graduation matriculation.”
Texas College is a historically black college founded in 1894. The Steers compete in 10 intercollegiate athletics with football playing in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC).
This story was originally published July 21, 2020 at 5:43 PM.
