At Harding
Drew Ellis, a native of Athens, Alabama, became an assistant track and field coach in 2023. Over the past two seasons, Coach Ellis has had the privilege of coaching several standout Bisons, including three All-Americans: Anna Kay Clark (a two-time All-American in the javelin), and both Spencer Helms and Lukas Stiper (discus All-Americans in 2025). He has also coached two-time national qualifier in the men’s javelin, Casen Hammitt. The program has also produced multiple conference champions in the javelin, shot put, and discus, as well as a conference runner-up in the hammer. The throws program is ambitious, aiming to be the best in the nation across all throwing events.
Before Harding
Ellis has track and field coaching experience as an assistant at Greenwood High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky from 2016-19, head coach at Oklahoma Christian Academy in Edmond, Oklahoma in 2015-16, head coach at Prattville Christian Academy in Prattville, Alabama from 2009-11, and co-head coach at Harding Academy in Memphis, Tennessee from 2002-05. Also has 10 seasons of high school football coaching experience in four states.
Ellis has served in numerous ministry roles in his professional career and presently works as the preaching minister at Cherokee Street Church of Christ in Newport, Arkansas.
Athletics Career
Ellis was a four-sport athlete in basketball, baseball, cross-country, and track ... earned All-State (ninth place) honors in cross-country in Alabama ... a member of the state runner-up team in class 1A-4A ... a four-time medalist as state champion in the 4x800 relay and state runner-up in the indoor 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters and outdoor 1,600 meters.
Education
Ellis earned his Bachelor of Arts in speech communications from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1999, his Master of Divinity from Lipscomb University in 2018, and is working on his Doctor of Ministry from the Harding School of Theology.
Family
Drew is married to the former Elizabeth Powell of Lufkin, Texas. The couple has three children--Jacob, Amberlee and Mason.
