2nd Annual Great Futures Dinner

Ft. Guest Speaker: Cliff Ellis

Title Sponsor: Best Insured

Cliff Ellis Bio

We’re honored to welcome Cliff Ellis as the guest speaker for our 2nd Annual Great Futures Dinner. A legendary college basketball coach, Coach Ellis is a member of four Hall of Fames and retired as the ninth-winningest coach in NCAA Division I history.

Cliff Ellis began his college coaching career at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee, where he served as both head coach and Athletic Director. During his tenure, he led the team to two TJCAA Championships and a 4th-place national ranking in the final 1973-74 NJCAA poll. From 1975-1984, Ellis was the head coach at the University of South Alabama, where he became the program’s all-time winningest coach with a 171-84 record over nine seasons. In 1984, he took the helm at Clemson University and guided the Tigers to postseason play eight times in ten years, including three NCAA Tournament appearances. Ellis continued his success at Auburn University, where he led them to the 1999 SEC Championship with a 29-4 record. This was the most wins every by a Division I team in Alabama at the time. In 2002, he notched his 500th career Division I victory becoming just the 34th coach to reach that milestone. He concluded his coaching career at Coastal Carolina University, where he took over in 2007. There he secured multiple Big South regular-season and tournament titles, becoming one of only two coaches in NCAA history to win conference championships at four different schools. Additionally, Ellis is one of just two coaches to win titles in both the ACC and SEC, cementing his legacy as one of college basketball’s most accomplished and respected leaders.

Cliff Ellis has made a remarkable impact both on and off the court. As a dedicated humanitarian, he and his wife Carolyn established the Cliff and Carolyn Ellis Foundation, which focuses on helping children ages 0-6 develop essential learning skills. He also serves on the board of the Jimmy Rane Foundation, which provides scholarships to deserving students in need of financial support. In addition to his coaching legacy, Cliff is a published author. His most recent book, Life’s a Dance, offers a candid look at his personal philosophies, challenges, and triumphs throughout his life and career.

Thank you to our 2025 Meal Sponsor: