Coach Ellis was hired July 24 at ECSU as Defensive Line Coach. Coach Ellis brings a wealth of knowledge with stops at Junior college, NAIA , D2 and D1 stops.
In the winter of 2017-18 Kai Ellis joined the Adams State staff in the winter oHe served as Associate Head coach and Defensive Coordinator. In 2020 Coached 3 all conference players Alani Pututau DE (1st Team All RMAC, All-American Team (honorable mention ) . Alu Taito DT (2nd team All RMAC ) Rob Luckett NT (Honorable Mention ).
Kai Ellis served two seasons as the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at West Hills Community College, Coalinga. There they won back-to-back NCFC Division Championships during the 2016 and 2015 Seasons. Two of his players were nominated for First Team All-State Athletes in 2016. In 2015, Coach Ellis led the Defense to No. 1 overall in the California Community College Division.
Ellis served one season as the defensive line coach at Culver-Stockton College in 2014. He played a major role in improving scoring defense by 13.2 points less per game. The Wildcat defense ranked 14th in the nation in 2014, allowing only 119 rushing yards per game.
In 2013, Ellis was under Steve Sarkisian (Texas Longhorns Head Coach) and Justin Wilcox (Cal Berkley Head Coach) and assisted with the defensive line under Tosh Lupoi (Oregon Ducks) at his alma mater,the University of Washington, working on the enhancement and development of run game and pass rush techniques. His efforts contributed to a defensive unit that finished fourth in the NCAA in total sacks with 41. The Huskies finished 9-4 overall that season with a victory over Brigham Young University in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. In addition to his coaching, Ellis led recruiting efforts for high school prospects and was the liaison between players and academic counselors.
Ellis began his collegiate playing career at City College of San Francisco where he was named junior college Defensive Player of the Year by the California Community Colleges Football Coaches Association. He was also named MVP of the 2000 JC Grid-Wire National Championship game with their win over Bakersfield College. The team voted Ellis MVP after going 12-0 and winning its unprecedented second consecutive national championship in his two seasons. In total, the two-time JC Grid-Wire All-American was named California JuCo Defensive Player of the Year, Golden Gate Conference Player of the Year and Northern California Player of the Year in 2000. He ultimately ended up landing at Washington where he was nicknamed “The Creature” and earned 2001 All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors before being named to the 2002 preseason All-Pac-10 team by The Sporting News.
Following his career with the Huskies, Ellis signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. He later moved to the Canadian Football League where he had a 10-year career.
Ellis played for the Calgary Stampeders (2003), Ottawa Renegades (2004-2005), Montreal Alouettes (2006-2008), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2008), and the Edmonton Eskimos (2009-2010).
Ellis earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in 2013 with a degree in American Ethnic studies. 2015 Earned Master Degree from University Of Southwest in Sports Management.
