Coach Gordon Ellingsworth arrived on campus in August of 1980, where he was named head baseball coach and assistant football coach. The impact Coach “E” had on the Athletic Department at Rhodes during his 32 years on the staff is still felt today.
According to former Lynx head football coach Mike Clary, Coach “E” is one of the iconic coaches in Lynx history. He was an outstanding offensive line coach for 30 years, regarded by his peers as one of the best in all of NCAA Division III football.
Coach Ellingsworth was a key staff member on the football teams from 1985-90, which compiled a cumulative 43-9-3 record, including a trip to the NCAA Division III National Playoffs. An outstanding recruiter, Gordon paved the way for athletic recruiting in South Louisiana and South Texas. In addition to his role on the football team, he served as Rhodes head baseball coach from 1981-94. His teams won the 1985, 1986, and 1988 College Athletic Conference baseball titles.
In 1997, Coach Ellingsworth was named the head women’s golf coach.
Coach Ellingsworth would also recruit one of the finest golfers in Rhodes golf history, Emily Burch, a transfer from Vanderbilt. Emily and her teammates finished third in the 2000 and the 2001 NCAA tournaments, which until 2014 was the highest team finish by any Rhodes team in NCAA competition. After Emily graduated, the 2002 team placed fifth in the NCAA tournament.
Along with Sarah Hatgas, Herb Hilgeman, and Mike Clary, Gordon Ellingsworth is one of four athletic staff members to serve 30-plus years at Rhodes. Coach “E” was a role model for numerous young coaches and staff members. He was devoted to Rhodes Athletics and to the student athletes he coached in three different sports. He is truly one of Rhodes’ all-time great coaches.
Rhodes is honored to induct Gordon Ellingsworth into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame on this 2nd day of November, 2024.
