Maryville University announced that head women’s basketball coach Chris Ellis is resigning from his position for personal reasons. Assistant women’s basketball coach Steve Cochran will serve as interim head coach for the women’s basketball team for the 2016-17 season while the University conducts a national search for its next head women’s basketball coach.
“Maryville is appreciative of Coach Ellis for his dedication to the University, for the success of the women’s basketball program, and for his 15 years of coaching service,” Director of Athletics Marcus Manning said.
Ellis completed his 15th season as head coach of the Saints after the 2015-16 campaign. He is the winningest coach in program history and compiled a 255-158 record. In 2011-12, Ellis guided Maryville to the school’s first Great Lakes Valley Conference championship as the Saints won four straight tournament games to claim the 2012 GLVC title. He also led the Saints to the GLVC Championship game in both 2013 and 2014.
The Saints made six NCAA Division III Tournament appearances under Ellis’ reign, and they became the first team in school history to make the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2005-06. The Saints set the NCAA Division III record for consecutive conference wins at 92; a streak that ended with a win.
In addition to the on-court success, Ellis stressed academic achievement in the classroom. The Saints have earned the WBCA Top 25 Team Academic Award nine times and were ranked No. 1 in the nation in 2008-09 with a 3.625 team GPA. The Saints set a program record in 2012-13 with a team 3.644 cumulative GPA.
Photo Courtesy Maryville Athletics
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