Matt Ellis

Coach Ellis, a native of Prosser, Wash., has spent the last two seasons on the University of the Cumberlands wrestling staff in Williamsburg, Ky. As the program's top assistant, Ellis helped lead the Patriots to a pair of top-five finishes at NAIA Nationals. During his time with the program, he coached 11 All-Americans, three NAIA National Champions, and six national finalists.

Ellis, a two-time Washington State Champion and three-time state finalist, began his collegiate career at Oklahoma State, but transferred to Oregon State in 2002. In his first season with the Beavers, Ellis earned a No. 18 national ranking, placed third in the Pac-10 at 165 pounds and qualified for the NCAA Championships. He went on to earn three top-three finished in the Pac-10, and won the 165-pound title in 2004. A three-time NCAA qualifer, Ellis captained the squad during his junior and senior seasons and was ranked as high as tenth nationally prior to his senior season. Ellis graduated from Oregon State in 2005 with a degree in Liberal Studies with a History emphasis. He earned his Master's Degree in Teaching at University of the Cumberlands in 2007.