Angelo State University Athletics announced the hiring of Alesha Ellis as the new head coach of the Rambelles Basketball program.
Ellis comes to ASU after a very successful stint leading the Wayland Baptist women’s basketball program over the last eight seasons, compiling a .759 winning percentage. She led the Flying Queens to the NAIA Tournament all eight years at the helm while earning 19 or more wins in each season.
“We are so excited to have Coach Ellis join Angelo State as the next head women’s basketball coach,” said Athletic Director James Reid. “Her background and previous coaching successes, we believe, will allow her to have a significant impact on the program. Alesha’s character, integrity, and commitment to excellence will make her a great fit for the ASU Ram Fam.”
The Flying Queens led the Sooner Athletic Conference in each of the last two seasons, compiling a 31-2 record last season while going 13-1 this year and earning the No. 2 overall ranking in the NAIA heading into the championship tournament. Ellis earned SAC Coach of the Year for the second straight season in 2020-21, winning the award for the fourth overall time in her career.
During the 2017-18 season, Ellis guided Wayland Baptists to one of its greatest seasons in program history, finishing with a 27-7 overall record while advancing to the semifinal round of the NAIA National Championship.
“I cannot tell you how excited I am to be the next head women’s basketball coach at Angelo State,” said Ellis. “It is a place that I am familiar with and have a ton of respect for! My family and I are so thankful that God has opened this door for us, and I want to thank James Reid and President Hawkins for entrusting me with this amazing opportunity. I am looking forward to meeting the people of San Angelo and the surrounding areas, and also the entire Ram family. Most of all, I am anxious to get with all of the players and start building a championship team!
I want to thank Wayland Baptist University for everything they have done for me, because without them this would not be possible. They will always be family to me.”
Before coaching, Ellis had a successful playing career under Coach Marsha Sharp at Texas Tech. She was named to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team and All-Big 12 honorable mention team her first season. Her success continued throughout her career, and she was named to the conference honorable mention team her sophomore and junior seasons before being named to the All-Big 12 Second-Team her senior year when she led her team in scoring with 13.1 points per game and rebounding with 8.7 boards per game.
Ellis finished her career at Texas Tech eighth in career scoring with 1,571 points and 11th in rebounds with 741.
She is married to Andy Ellis, also a former Texas Tech basketball player. They have one son, Kingston James (4), and one daughter, Laiken Jo (1).
