Labon "Jake" Porche Jr.
February 17, 2009
Esther Marie LeBoeuf LeCompte
February 19, 2009
For 10 years, Steve Ellis walked the Nicholls State Colonels’ sideline pumping his fist, patting players on the back or barking out words of encouragement.
Ellis was committed to his job, whether it was as a player from 1999 to 2002 or as a coach for the last five years.
That is why not having the defensive coordinator on the sidelines anymore will be an adjustment for Colonels’ players and coaches.
Ellis handed in his resignation last week to athletic director Rob Bernardi and accepted a job at Divison I-FBS school Middle Tennessee State.
The 28-year-old Stringer, Miss., native had adopted Thibodaux as his home.
“When I came here (Middle Tennessee), people asked me where I was from. I said Thibodaux,” Ellis explained. “I’ve developed so many great relationships. The school, city and people will always have a special place in my heart.”
During his time with the Colonels, Ellis earned the respect of his players because of his passion for the game, according to head coach Jay Thomas. Ellis was a part of the Colonels first and only Southland Conference Championship team in 2005 as a defensive backs coach.
At Middle Tennessee State, a Sun Belt Conference school located in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Ellis is in charge of the Blue Raiders’ secondary, while also assisting with special teams. MTSU finished last season 5-7 overall and 3-4 in the Sun Belt, and closed out the season winning three of the team’s last four games.
“This is a great opportunity for Steve, and we wish him the best of luck,” Thomas said. “He has been like a son to me since he has been here. He did some great things here for us, and I know he will continue to go on to do great things at Middle Tennessee.”
Ellis was a four-year letter winner with the Colonels before suffering a career-ending knee injury in his senior season against Southern in 2002. He finished his career with 195 total tackles (126 solo), 4.5 tackles for a loss and five interceptions despite playing in only 32 games as a defensive back.
In 2006, after two seasons of being a position coach, Ellis became one of the youngest defensive coordinators in the country when he was named to the position with the Colonels.
In all of his three seasons as defensive coordinator, the Colonels held sound on the defensive side of the football. They led the Southland Conference in total defense in 2007, and were second in the league in the category in 2006. In 2007, the Nicholls defense yielded 352.5 yards per game, while his 2006 squad only allowed 301.1 yards per game.
The Colonels’ defense finished the year fourth in the conference against the pass and fifth against the run in 2008, and played a viable part in the team’s victory in Lake Charles against McNeese for the first time since 1998.
Ellis also participated in the NFL Coaches Fellowship Program with the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers under head coach Mike Tomlin in the summer of 2008.
He worked with the defensive backs under the guidance of legendary defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau.
Two former Colonel defensive backs made it to professional football under Ellis’ tutelage. Kareem Moore was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 2008 NFL Draft, and Toney Edison went on to play in the Canadian Football League.
“It’s because of guys like them – Lardarius Webb, Cory Vavala, Henry Johnson, Chris Thompson and so many more – that I am where I am now,” Ellis said. “All of my guys went to work for me every day and played their tails off. They got me here, and I’m very grateful to have been able to coach so many great athletes.”
Ellis also served as the Nicholls pro liaison and supervised student-athlete academic progress over the past four seasons.
The decision to leave Nicholls State wasn’t an easy one, but Ellis said it’s the start of something new in his life and he is anxious to get started with the Blue Raiders and further his coaching career.
“I’ve always wanted to be a football coach,” he said. “I’m excited about the chance to expand my knowledge after a great 10 years at Nicholls.”
Moving up in the ranks has added pressure to succeed, but Ellis believes he is ready for the challenge.
He’s already survived his biggest challenge: getting Cajun food in Murfreesboro.
“When I first got here, I went to eat out and I noticed the difference – there was no spice,” he said. “I’ll have to call Coach Thomas and have him send me a can of Tony Chachere’s (Original Creole Seasoning). I’ll probably have to call Doug at Bubba’s and have him send me a shrimp po-boy and some gumbo.”
Former Nicholls State Defensive Coordinator Steve Ellis celebrates following a Colonels’ win last season. Ellis recently resigned his post to accept a job as the defensive backs coach for Division I-FBS school Middle Tennessee State. * Photo courtesy of NSU
