By Steven M. Glassman
Director of Sports Information
JENKINTOWN, PA—Manor College announces the hiring of Dave Ellerbee as its Men's Basketball Head Coach by Director of Athletics John Dempster.
Ellerbee was the Blue Jays Women's Basketball Head Coach for two seasons (2017-2018) and was its assistant (2015-2017). He guided Manor's women's program to a 16-18 overall won-loss record (12-14 NJCAA Region XIX Division II) and two Region XIX Division II Postseason Tournament appearances. Two of his student-athletes, Etreece Adams (2016-2017) and Kelicia Brown (2017-2018), were voted to the NJCAA All-Region XIX Division II Second Team. Also, two of his student-athletes, Alliya Austin (Spring 2018) and Kiara Stovall (Fall 2017 and Spring 2018), were named to the EPAC All-Academic Team.
Five of his student athletes, Adams (University of Pittsburgh-Bradford), Brown (Bryn Athyn College), Kalima Daniels (Rosemont College), Shawn Dowd (Rosemont), and Sierra Liggon (Rosemont) currently or went on to play NCAA Division III Women's Basketball.
He was previously the Simon Gratz High School Varsity Boys Volunteer Assistant Coach (1996-2002) under his father Bill. His responsibilities included conditioning, game preparation, and scouting. Simon Gratz reached the Philadelphia Public League Championship game in six of the seven seasons, winning twice (1997 and 2001). The Bulldogs also won four division titles. He was also the school's Cross Country and Track and Field Coach. The Cross Country team won the 1998 Public League Championship and also had an individual winner in 1999.
Ellerbee is also currently a coach for The Academy of Hoops since 2015. He also assists with their Conditioning and Development.
He graduated from Rutgers University-Livingston Campus with a Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree in Education in 2001. Dave played guard for the NCAA Division II Elizabeth City State University Men's Basketball squad in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Dave graduated from the Abington Friends School in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania in 1993. He was a forward and center for the Kangaroos' Boys Basketball team. He also ran 100, 200, and 400 meters and did the long jump for the Track and Field squad. Dave played guard and forward for the Boys' Varsity Basketball team at Simon Gratz.
Ellerbee: "I am humbled, happy and honored that Manor's administration felt that I was valuable here and had enough to offer the Men's basketball program. I truly enjoyed my time coaching the women's basketball team. I learned and experienced so much. In the past three years, I have become a much more effective communicator and I have become a lot more empathic towards the students and student-athletes working so hard on Manor's campus. We have a lot of new faces and talent ready to become the best that they can be. I believe my previous work experience and over all love for the game of basketball has prepared me for this opportunity."
Dempster: "The hiring of Dave Ellerbee was a slam dunk (no pun intended). Dave comes from an extended basketball background with years of playing and coaching knowledge at the college level. What makes Dave stand out to me is his dedication to the players off the court. His message of academics first, team second, is going to take the men's program to a higher level which will lead to more wins on the court and a higher retention rate of his players. Dave understands the importance of producing scholar athletes."
Ellerbee was also named Manor's Athletic Coordinator in January, 2017. He was also named the Blue Jays' first Men's and Women's Cross Country Head Coach earlier this year.
He succeeds Diallo Daniels as the Blue Jays' Head Men's Basketball Coach.
Manor begins its 29th season later this year.