Kai Ellis joined the Marist football program as outside linebackers/edge rushers coach in the spring of 2026. He comes to Marist with a variety of experience in the collegiate and professional rankings.
In his most recent stop before coming to Marist, Ellis served as defensive line coach for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League during the 2025 season, and he helped analyze prospects for the 2025 CFL Draft. He supported the coaching staff through detailed analytical reports and strategic recommendations in developing game plans, a role that he will continue in at Marist.
In 2024, Ellis served as defensive line coach at Elizabeth City State University. This came after a five-season run at Adams State University, where he was defensive coordinator and then assistant head coach. There, he coached Alani Pututau, who was named First Team All-American after a season with 13.5 sacks. Pututau went on to play for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and CFL’s Toronto Argonauts.
Ellis’ prior positions include assistant head coach/defensive coordinator at Briar Cliff University (2017), defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at West Hills Community College, Coalinga (2015-16), and defensive line coach at Culver-Stockton College (2014).
Ellis began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Washington, in the 2013 season. He served as assistant defensive line coach, led recruiting for high school prospects, and was the liaison between players and academic counselors.
Ellis began his collegiate playing at City College of San Francisco in 1999. He was named Team MVP and junior college Defensive Player of the Year by the California Community Colleges Football Coaching Association as his team won back-to-back national championships. He then played at Washington from 2001-02, where he was nicknamed “The Creature.” Ellis was named All-Pac 10 Honorable Mention in 2001, and Second Team All-Pac 10 in 2002.
In 2003, Ellis signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. He then played eight seasons in the CFL for the Calgary Stampeders (2003), Ottawa Renegades (2004-05), Montreal Alouettes (2006-08), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2008), and Edmonton Eskimos (2009-10) and totaled 22 sacks. Ellis concluded his professional career in 2011 with the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League.
Ellis is a native of Kent, Washington.
