Delaware State University welcomes Brian Ellerbe to the Hornets Athletic Department. Ellerbe is an athletic administrative veteran whose experience spans over 35 years as a Division 1 collegiate head and assistant basketball coach, a high school athletic director, and a corporate business professional.
During the last five years, Ellerbe served as athletic director in the nation’s premier high school athletic conference, the WCAC (Washington Catholic Athletic Conference) at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C. Ellerbe led an athletic department that included 14 men and women sports. He also supervised the school’s security and supervisory staff, in addition to organizing transportation for students. During his tenure, the athletic department experienced a resurgence in growth and success levels not seen in over three decades. Archbishop Carroll won both Catholic League and State Championships. The championship sports included football, girls' basketball, track and field team championship, girls' tennis, and e-sports. The e-sports program partnered with the school’s Project Lead the Way Engineering Program and Curriculum.
Ellerbe re-established the baseball program, which had been dormant for over twenty years. Also, he established multi-year corporate partnerships with Pepsi, Nike, Chick-fil-A, BSN Sports, API Source, Frontier Entertainment Inc., and Industrial Bank of Washington. These relationships enhanced the student-athlete experience both financially and culturally.
The partnerships, in conjunction with the fundraising capital raised by Ellerbe, influenced the completion of several facility upgrades, including the football stadium, outdoor track, gymnasium, training room, and weight room equipment. Other upgrades included the communications/media program, more live stream and recording options, an increased scouting budget, and better marketing and promotional opportunities for Lions athletics.
Ellerbe’s core athletic administrative philosophy centers around strategic recruiting and administrative support for coaches' and students' well-being, to “clear the runway,” to realize success in competition while enhancing a well-rounded collegiate experience.
During Ellerbe’s tenure, student-athletes earned honors in prestigious academic organizations such as the National Honor Society and the United Bank Academic Achievement Awards. His student-athletes also received full-athletic grant-in-aid assistance and full academic and athletic scholarships. Athletes and teams have earned several significant athletic achievements. At the 2024 New Balance Outdoor Track National Championship, national titles were won by girls' 4 x 100-meter relay and the boys' 4 x 200-meter relay. In 2023, the boys also won the National Championships in the 4 x 100-meter relay and the 4 x 200-meter relay.
In 2023, a former student-athlete was drafted #27 in the first round of the NFL Draft. The following year, a dual sport student-athlete (football and track) was recognized as the nation’s #1 high school athlete. From 2019-24, Lions' athletes earned five Gatorade Athlete of the Year awards.
As a result of producing high-quality student-athletes, Ellerbe began educating the athletes and their parents on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Under Ellerbe, mental health and wellness services for student-athletes were offered and became the norm.
Prior to his work experiences, he was a four-year starting point guard at Rutgers University. Ellerbe helped guide his teams to both the NCAA and NIT Tournaments. Ellerbe is second on the all-time assist list and holds the single game assist record (16) vs. N.C. State at Madison Square Garden. His playing career was derailed by a career-ending shoulder injury.
A Prince George’s County, Maryland native, Ellerbe attended Bowie High School. During his junior and senior year, he was one of the top scorers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. He earned All-American honors while also being selected to participate in the 1981 McDonald’s Capital Classic. His teammates included NBA Hall of Famers Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing.
Brian, wife Kimberly, and daughter Amelie are excited to join the Delaware State University community.
