OKLAHOMA CITY - The Star Spencer Mid-High athletic department announced the hiring of Jon Ellis as the new girls basketball head coach on Friday.

Last season, Ellis served as an assistant boys coach for Newcastle High School, where he helped the Racers to their best record in school history. Ellis brings over six years of coaching experience to Star Spencer, including the creation of his own basketball foundation back in 2018, Jon Ellis Basketball LLC. For the past six years, he’s built this foundation into camps, clinics and AAU summer travel teams that go year-round.

Ellis graduated from Oklahoma City University in 2018, where he appeared in the NAIA National Tournament four times, helped the Stars to two conference championships, and was tabbed the Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. His first coaching stint came with the Stars in the Fall of 2018.

“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to bring a new culture to Star Spencer.” said Ellis in his introductory meeting on Friday. “Winning ways will be implemented daily on these student-athletes. I invite and encourage all parents and alumni to be a part of what we will be building! My motto is “Don’t cheat the grind.” I’m excited to get to work!”

Ellis has a few other coaching stops at Westmoore High School in 2019, and with the OKC Storm homeschool team in 2021 as well. Off the court, Ellis also served in the United States Army, where he received multiple different awards including Army Commendation Medal (2012), Highest P.T. award (2012), Combat Lifesaver Award (2012), and an Achievement Medal (2014). Ellis also played for the Army Fort Bliss basketball team prior to attending OCU where he won a national championship in the 2013-14 season.