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  • Russ Huesman Adds Former Virginia Tech Star Chris Ellis to Richmond Football Staff

Russ Huesman Adds Former Virginia Tech Star Chris Ellis to Richmond Football Staff

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Football

University of Richmond head football coach Russ Huesman announced the hiring of former NFL and Virginia Tech standout Chris Ellis to the coaching staff. Ellis joins the staff as the defensive ends coach and brings nearly 20 years of playing and coaching experience to the Spiders.

Ellis joins the Spiders after spending the 2021 season as the defensive line coach at Christopher Newport. He coached in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as the defensive line coach of the BC Lions in 2019.

Ellis is no stranger to the Colonial Athletic Association Football, coaching as the defensive ends coach at New Hampshire for two seasons (2017-18) under head coach Sean McDonnell.

Ellis helped the Wildcats to the 2017 NCAA FCS Playoffs, advancing to the quarterfinals with wins over Central Connecticut State and on the road at Central Arkansas. He helped guide Rick Holt and Jae'Wuan Horton to All-CAA honors in his two seasons coaching the defensive linemen in Durham.

Ellis worked for three seasons at Christopher Newport in his first stint with the Captains (2014-17). In 2014, he worked for current Spider defensive coordinator and former CNU defensive coordinator Justin Wood. He helped Christopher Newport to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2014, advancing to the second round.

Ellis was a standout at Virginia Tech, becoming an All-Atlantic Coast Conference defensive end with the Hokies. He played four bowls during his time in Blacksburg, including the Sugar Bowl (2005) and the Orange Bowl (2008). Ellis was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2008 draft. He played for the Bills for three seasons and then spent two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

His pro career concluded in the 2012 season playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. Following his playing career, Ellis began his coaching career by spending a season at Frostburg State University as a coaching intern in 2013.

Ellis graduated from Virginia Tech in 2007 with a degree in apparel, housing and business management. He played all four years with the Hokies under legendary head coach Frank Beamer.