FORT MYERS, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers didn't have to look far for their new Head Women's Basketball Coach as Wednesday, FSW Athletic Director George Sanders announced that Dr. Jerald Ellis, a four year assistant with the Bucs, would take over as the Interim Head Coach for the 2020-2021 season.
"We are lucky to have someone like Coach Ellis, with the experience to lead our program forward, already on our staff" Sanders said of Ellis' appointment. "He has helped bring our program into the national spotlight with an extensive recruiting network and valuable experience at all levels of the game. With he and Coach Wright leading the program, it gives us some continuity and familiarity to help ease the transition."
With Ellis on the sideline, the Bucs have gone 100-28 over the past four seasons, winning three straight Suncoast Conference Championships and earning back to back berths to the NJCAA National Tournament. As the recruiting coordinator for the Bucs, Ellis has brought in 19 All-Conference players in four seasons including 12 first team selections. Ten players have signed to continue playing at the NCAA Division I level during Ellis' tenure while 19 players in total have signed scholarships to further their careers after FSW.
"I am thankful for the opportunity to lead the Women's Basketball program in our continued elusive quest to be the one team cutting down the nets at the end of the season" Ellis said. "The players and staff will embark on this mission with all the class and dignity we demand from our program" he continued.
Ellis has a wealth of head coaching experience in Southern Florida, serving as the lead man for Southwest Miami, Immokalee, and Island Coast at the high school level as well as the Florida Vision at the club level, and was the Associate Head Men's Coach at Miami Dade College from 1989-1992.
Ellis' wide spreading coaching network spoke volumes about him when learning about his appointment to the Interim Head Coach post, including University of South Florida Head Coach Jose Fernandez who said "Jerry has an incredible personality, work ethic, and a relentless passion for the game. He was a great influence on my coaching aspirations while I was a student assistant at Miami Dade. I would not be where I am today without Coach Ellis' mentorship or friendship. I am really excited for him and the Florida SouthWestern family."
One of the top up and coming Assistant Coaches in the country, Rabun Wright will remain alongside Ellis for her third season with the Bucs in 2020-2021 after being named a finalist for the World Exposure NJCAA Assistant Coach of the Year award this season. In her two years with FSW, the Bucs have gone 54-11 and 17-1 in Suncoast Conference play while moving six players onto the NCAA Division I level.
The Bucs finished the 2019-2020 season 24-7 against one of the nation's top schedules. They went 8-1 to win their third straight Suncoast Conference Championship and finished the year ranked 12th in the NJCAA National Polls while earning a #10 seed for the NJCAA National Tournament. FSW will return a number of key contributors back into the mix next season including All-Conference performers Sheslanie Laureano and Cabria Lewis.