Tellis Burthorne Ellis Jr. (May 26, 1912 â 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 24âÂÂ21âÂÂ3 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.