Coastal Carolina's Ellis retires with 831 Division I victories, most among active coaches

Updated Dec. 6, 2023 4:14 p.m. ET

Associated Press

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Coastal Carolina basketball coach Cliff Ellis, who leads all active Division I coaches with 831 victories, is retiring, he announced Wednesday.

Coastal Carolina said Ellis coached his final game Monday night, a 110-46 victory against St Andrews. It said associate head coach Benny Moss will take on the role of interim coach and that Ellis will remain with the school working on special projects as he completes his contract.

Ellis said in a release from the school that he planned to retire at the end of the season, “but in fairness to my players and my coaching staff, I wanted all of them, but especially the staff, to have a chance to show what they are made of."

The 78-year-old Ellis was in his 17th season at Coastal Carolina, finishing a career that also saw him lead the programs at Clemson, Auburn, South Alabama, and Cumberland of the NAIA. Including his time at Cumberland, his career record is 909-576.

Ellis won eight conference regular season titles, two conference tournament titles, six conference Coach of the Year honors and an AP National Coach of the Year award in 1999 when he led Auburn to a 29-4 record and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. His teams appeared in 10 NCAA Tournaments in all.

The Chanticleers improved to 3-5 with Monday's victory.

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