Tellis Burthorne Ellis Jr. (May 26, 1912 – March 15, 2000) was an American football and basketball coach. He was the head football coach at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. He led the Tigers to a 24–21–3 record from 1946 to 1951 before being replaced by future College Football Hall of Fame coach John Merritt. He was educated at Morehouse College and Boston University. A gymnasium and the football training facility on JSU's campus are named in his honor. References 1912 births 2000 deaths Jackson State Tigers and Lady Tigers athletic directors Jackson State Tigers football coaches Jackson State Tigers basketball coaches Morehouse College alumni Boston University alumni People from Vicksburg, Mississippi Coaches of American football from Mississippi Basketball coaches from Mississippi 20th-century African-American sportspeople