CLIFf ELLIS
Head Men's Coach, TEMPLE JUNIOR COLLEGE
In the Spring of 2020, Clifton Ellis was hired as the head coach to lead the Men’s Basketball program at Temple College, returning after 25 years since he first arrived as a player for the Leopards under legendary coach Kirby Johnson. Ellis spent 20 years as a highly successful high school basketball coach in the San Antonio area and one of the most respected coaches in the state of Texas.
For the past 8 years, Coach Ellis was a teacher and head coach at Samuel Clemens High School in the San Antonio suburb of Schertz. While at Clemens, the Buffaloes captured three straight district championships at the 4A, 5A, and 6A classifications, including three straight trips to the Regional IV Tournament and leading the school to their first ever appearances in the UIL State Tournament, earning back-to-back UIL State Tournament appearances in 2014 and 2015.
In the Summer of 2016, Ellis took his role in The Basketball Embassy to new heights, becoming the U18 Men’s National Team Coach of Macedonia. In 2015, The Macedonian Men’s Team finished 21st in the European Championship B-Division. Under the direction of Coach Ellis, the team improved 5 places and finished 16th in 2016.
Before coming to Clemens, Coach Ellis was named the first Head Boys Basketball Coach at Wagner High School. In his 6 years as head coach at Wagner, the school won 4 district championships and 2 regional championships along with a regional final appearance in 2008. The Thunderbirds were rated in the ESPN top 50 in the nation 3 times from 2008-2010. These teams produced future NBA stars Andre Roberson and Jordan Clarkson, both whom have attributed much of their early successes to Coach Ellis.
Before coming to Wagner, Coach Ellis spent four years at Judson High School. In 2003, the Rockets made an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen, before falling to CC Ray in the Regional Semi- Finals. In 2002, the Rockets had tremendous success in reaching the round of the Elite Eight, before losing to the 2002 state champion San Antonio John Jay in the Regional Finals.
Coach Ellis came to Judson High School after spending one season as an assistant at South San High School. While at South San High School the Bobcats won the district championship and gained a birth in the Regional Quarter- Finals. Prior to coaching in high School, Clifton Ellis spent one year as a student assistant coach at his Alma mater Southwest Texas State University while earning his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and History. While on the staff at SWTSU, the Bobcats made an appearance in the Southland Conference Tournament Semi- Finals.
Coach Ellis played collegiate basketball at Temple College and Southwest Texas State University where he was a starting point guard for all four years. While playing at Temple College he led the Leopards to the Regional Semi-Finals and Regional Finals as well as a national scoring title in his two years there. He was in the top 5 nationally in assists both years and earned all-conference and all regional honors. He earned the Who’s Who Among American College Students and the Lions Club Student Athlete Award in 1996. Following his two years at Temple College, he played two years at Southwest Texas where the Bobcats won the Southland Conference Championship finishing 2nd in percentage defense and top 10 in rebounding margin. He led the team in assist both years and finished 5th nationally in free-throw percentage. Among his awards were Southwest Texas Newcomer of the year and the Coaches Award for Student Athlete Achievement in 1997.
His professional memberships include the TABC, THSCA, SWT “T” Association, and the SWT Alumni Association. Coach Ellis and his wife Aletha have four boys, Noah, Jacob, Clifton Jr, and Aiden.