Donte Ellington was chosen as Eastern Kentucky University’s wide receivers coach in March 2019.
He helped the Colonels to a 7-5 record and a fourth place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2019. EKU led the conference in red-zone offense and was third in scoring.
Ellington served as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Midwestern State University in 2017 and 2018. In 2018, he tutored Juwan Johnson, who set a new school record with 1,215 receiving yards. That same season, his group helped Midwestern State set new program records for receiving touchdowns (33), yards per game (325.7) and yards in a game (470). MSU averaged 41 points per game.
In 2017, he helped Midwestern State to a Lone Star Conference championship and a No. 11 national ranking with a 10-1 record. MSU was eighth in the country in scoring (42.5 ppg) and 11th nationally in total offense (483.3 yards per game).
In both seasons combined, Ellington coached seven different receivers that totaled 100 or more yards in a game. He helped the Mustangs generate 6,000 yards of offense and score 60 touchdowns.
In addition to coaching the wide receivers, Ellington recruited the Austin and San Antonio areas in Texas, high school prospects in Kansas, Iowa and Oklahoma, and junior college athletes in Northern California. He also managed community service projects for the Midwestern State football program.
Before joining the Midwestern State program, Ellington was the associate head coach and wide receivers coach at Independence Community College in Kansas during the 2016 season. He helped Independence to a No. 23 national ranking. Independence beat three top-20 ranked teams that season. He tutored two all-conference wide receivers, one of which ranked 19th in the nation in receiving yards.
Ellington has also coached at Garden City Community College (2015), Menlo College (2013-14) and San Jose High Academy (2005-13). He played professionally in three leagues, including with the San Jose Sabercats in the Arena Football League during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
Ellington played college football at San Jose City College and Northwood University. He is the son of Phyllis Ellington, the brother of Sumiko Holland and the uncle to Sinceree Hayashi.
Donte Ellington Year-By-Year
| Year |
School |
Position |
Notes |
| 2013 |
Menlo College |
Defensive Backs Coach |
|
| 2014 |
Menlo College |
Running Backs Coach/Punt & Kick Returners |
|
| 2015 |
Garden City CC |
Running Backs Coach/Offensive Line Coach/Special Teams Coordinator |
Beat No. 1 Butler CC |
| 2016 |
Independence CC |
Associate Head Coach/wide Receivers Coach |
Ranked No. 23 |
| 2017 |
Midwestern State |
Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach |
LSC Champs, #8 scoring offense NCAA |
| 2018 |
Midwestern State |
Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach |
#11 scoring offense NCAA |
| 2019 |
Eastern Kentucky |
Wide Receivers Coach |
7-5, 4th in OVC |
