College Football Coach. For eight seasons (1963 to 1970), he served as head coach of the Arkansas State Red Wolves and guided them to a national championship in 1970. His lengthy association with football began while attending Sulphur High School (Louisiana). This would carry over into his collegiate years at Tulane University, where he played at the tailback and wing-back positions. His studies yielded to his service with the US Navy during World War II and upon his return home, he concluded his senior year playing at the quarterback position. Ellender would attain his Bachelor of Education from Tulane and earn a Masters of Science from LSU, before embarking on his coaching career, initially at the high school level. He returned to his alma mater at Tulane, serving as an assistant coach and later joined Arkansas State University, with whom he was named head coach in 1963. During his tenure with the Red Hawks, Ellender led the program through their most successful period in the school's history, as they captured three consecutive league titles (1968 to 1970), including two Pecan Bowl victories, culminating with a perfect 11 win, 0 loss record, a number one ranking and national championship. He compiled a 52 win, 20 loss and 4 tie record, while earning Southland Conference Coach of the Year honors four-times (1964, 1968 to 1970). He would once again go back to Tulane, serving as their head coach (1971 to 1975) and while there they appeared in the Bluebonnet Bowl (1973), as he accrued a 27 win 29 loss record. In 2000, he was named to the Arkansas State University Ring of Honor.
College Football Coach. For eight seasons (1963 to 1970), he served as head coach of the Arkansas State Red Wolves and guided them to a national championship in 1970. His lengthy association with football began while attending Sulphur High School (Louisiana). This would carry over into his collegiate years at Tulane University, where he played at the tailback and wing-back positions. His studies yielded to his service with the US Navy during World War II and upon his return home, he concluded his senior year playing at the quarterback position. Ellender would attain his Bachelor of Education from Tulane and earn a Masters of Science from LSU, before embarking on his coaching career, initially at the high school level. He returned to his alma mater at Tulane, serving as an assistant coach and later joined Arkansas State University, with whom he was named head coach in 1963. During his tenure with the Red Hawks, Ellender led the program through their most successful period in the school's history, as they captured three consecutive league titles (1968 to 1970), including two Pecan Bowl victories, culminating with a perfect 11 win, 0 loss record, a number one ranking and national championship. He compiled a 52 win, 20 loss and 4 tie record, while earning Southland Conference Coach of the Year honors four-times (1964, 1968 to 1970). He would once again go back to Tulane, serving as their head coach (1971 to 1975) and while there they appeared in the Bluebonnet Bowl (1973), as he accrued a 27 win 29 loss record. In 2000, he was named to the Arkansas State University Ring of Honor.
Bio by: C.S.
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