Colby Ellis

Colby Ellis is in his second season as a graduate assistant in 2019. Overall, Ellis owns five years of coaching experience.

Ellis assists Ryan Held with the Husker running backs. Devine Ozigbo rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a senior in 2018, ranking 11th nationally in yards per carry (7.0), before signing an NFL free agent contract.

Ellis came to Nebraska after spending the 2017 season as an assistant coach at Missouri Southern, where he coached the wide receivers and was the special teams coordinator. In 2016, he was the special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, helping NEO lead the NJCAA ranks in field goals, rank second in kickoff returns and third in punt returns and field goal percentage. Ellis excelled at player development in his second stint at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in 2016. He coached all-conference kicker Dalton Witherspoon, who set multiple school season records, and all-conference wideout Brandon Prather, who set NEO's single-season reception record in 2016 as one of three Golden Norse wide receivers with 40 or more receptions. Three of Ellis' wide receivers went on to sign Division I scholarships.

Ellis was a graduate assistant at the University of West Georgia in 2015, coaching the cornerbacks and assisting with the special teams. In his lone season at the school, the Wolves finished 12-2 and won a conference and regional title while advancing to the semifinals of the Division II playoffs. Ellis coached all-conference defensive back Marcus Sayles that led all levels of college football in blocked kicks in 2015 season.

A native of Tonkawa, Okla., Ellis earned his start in the coaching profession at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, coaching the special teams and linebackers while also serving as an assistant strength coach in 2014. Ellis earned his bachelor's degree in health and human performance with an emphasis in exercise and health in 2013 from Oklahoma State. Ellis was also a member of the strength and conditioning program at Oklahoma State in 2013. He went on to get his master's degree in health and human performance with an emphasis in sport and leisure service management from Pittsburg State in 2015.

As a player, Ellis was a two-year all-conference free safety at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, ending his career with a school-record 181 tackles. As a freshman, he totaled 103 tackles to lead the Norse and rank 12th nationally. Ellis went on to play at Oklahoma State. With the Cowboys, Ellis was a defensive back, wide receiver and contributed on special teams. He helped the Cowboys to the 2011 Big 12 title and a victory in the Fiesta Bowl and a win in the Heart of Dallas Bowl the next season.
 
Coaching Experience
2018-19: Nebraska (Graduate Assistant)
2017: Missouri Southern State University (Special Teams Coordinator & Wide Receivers)
2016: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (Special Teams Coordinator & Wide Receivers)
2015: University of West Georgia (Cornerbacks)
2014: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (Linebackers & Special Teams)
2013: Oklahoma State (Strength & Conditioning)