GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNC Greensboro (UNCG) baseball Head Coach Cody Ellis has had the interim tag removed from his title and has been hired as head coach of the Spartan program, Director of Athletics Brian Mackin announced Tuesday.
 
This will be Ellis' second head coaching stint since his first opportunity coaching in 2019. He debuted as a head coach at Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) in Martinsville, Virginia, leading the program from 2019-22 and being the assistant athletic director of the department.
 
Ellis will be the fourth coach to lead the baseball program in its 33-year history.
 
"Cody has a vast knowledge of the game of baseball and brings a wealth of coaching and playing experience to UNCG," remarked Mackin. "He showcased his passion and leadership for the program this season and demonstrated his professional and positive culture. I am confident that Cody will maintain relationships among our UNCG family, alumni, and donors and we are excited to announce him once again as a Spartan."
 
Ellis has been with the Spartans since being hired in the fall of 2022. He was first hired as assistant coach leading the charge in recruiting and as the outfield coach before being promoted as interim head coach in January 2024.
 
While interim head coach, Ellis was voted the 2024 Southern Conference (SoCon) Coach of the Year as well as 2024 SoCon Sports Media Association (SCSMA) Coach of the Year. After being voted to finish sixth in the SoCon Preseason Poll, Ellis led the Spartans to a 33-21 record this season and 15-6 conference record earning the program's third SoCon Regular Season Title. Ellis also guided the Spartans to two ranked wins this season, including the program's second victory over a No. 1 team defeating Wake Forest 4-3 on February 20 at the UNCG Baseball Stadium. UNCG also crushed then-ranked No. 13 NC State 18-3 on March 12 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ellis coached Caleb Cozart, who was recognized as UNCG's third SoCon Player of the Year this year. Cozart broke UNCG's single season home run record with 22, is tied for first in single season RBI with 73, and is second in program history in slugging percentage with a .742 clip.
 
Following the 2024 SoCon Tournament, UNCG leads the SoCon in ERA (5.27), fewest runs allowed (312), and lowest opponent batting average (.266). Currently UNCG is nationally ranked 15^th in triples (20), 20^th in stolen bases (105), and 23^rd in stolen bases per game (1.94). This season, the Blue & Gold averaged 7.90 runs per game and 3.25 extra base hits per game, while four Spartans had 20 or more extra base hits this season. The Spartans won eight of their last 11 regular season contests and 10 of their final 12 conference games.
 
"I am very thankful for the opportunity Brian Mackin gave me this spring by trusting me to lead this great program," stated Ellis. "I am especially grateful for Coach Godwin believing in me two years ago when he brought me on the staff and helped mentor me through this process. I want to thank my wife and family for always being there for me and their constant support. But I wouldn't be anywhere without my Lord and Savior. I am ecstatic to lead this program and build on the tradition and foundation that has been laid by so many."
 
Ellis joined the Spartans after three years at PHCC, starting in August of 2019. Over his three years, he compiled a 92-48 record. He led the 2021 team to a third-place finish in the NJCAA World Series. The 2020 team led the NJCAA in stolen bases with 119 in a shortened season and in 2021 with 271, and fourth in the country with a .962 fielding percentage in 2021.
 
He joined PHCC after serving as a graduate assistant of the baseball team coaching the hitters and outfielders as well as recruiting talent at the University of Lynchburg. Ellis was an assistant coach for the Keene Swampbats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League during the summer of 2017.
 
Along with his knowledge of college baseball, Ellis brings in experience from working as a manager for Team USA in July 2021. He was responsible for managing and building relationships with the top prospects in the country through the Player Development Pipeline (PDP) league. Along with this, he would also assist in identifying and selecting players for the 2021 18U National Team. He was part of the USA Task Force scouting and evaluating talent across the country. Ellis has since continued to be part of USA Baseball since 2019 through his time as a manager in the PDP and assistant coach in PDP National Training Development Program (NTDP).
 
Ellis began his coaching career as an assistant coach at PHCC in 2016. 
 
Ellis played baseball for PHCC and was an All-Region outfielder in 2011.  He then moved on to play Division I baseball for Norfolk State University where he was named second-team All-MEAC at second base. At Norfolk State, he led the team in 2014 with a .349 hitting percentage. He also played for the Professional Independent Pecos League with the Topeka Train Robbers and the Garden City Wind where he was a 2015 All-Star at first base.
 
Ellis received his associate's degree in Recreational and Leisure Studies from Patrick Henry Community College in 2012, a Bachelor's of Science degree in Exercise Health and Physical Education from Norfolk State University in 2015, and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership in Higher Education from the University of Lynchburg in 2019.
 
A native of North Carolina, Ellis is married to his wife, Crystal, and they have one daughter, Wren.