Noel Ellis named head football coach at Landry

It did not take Landry to find an ideal fit to take over its football program.

Just eight days after Keenen Lewis resigned the position, the Buccaneers have turned to an accomplished player, coach and West Bank star in Noel Ellis to run the program.

A star player at Karr, Ellis earned a scholarship to Tulane and was part of the 1998 unbeaten Green Wave team that went 12-0, won the Liberty Bowl and finished ranked seventh in the nation as he played in every game at linebacker for Tommy Bowden.

Lewis spent three years at Landry, posting a 10-15 record. Lewis followed current Helen Cox head coach Emmanuel Powell, who spent six seasons at Landry, going 70-19 while winning a state championship in 2016.

“Landry has always been one of the schools I always eyed just from competing against them when I played and from coaching against them,” Ellis said. “It has always been an attractive job. I like the way they play there, hard nosed and passionate. They are always competitive and compete hard. I always saw Landry as a school that I would be interested in. They have always been good.”

Ellis already feels the level of expectations associated with the job.

“The community is waiting for something big to happen again,” Ellis said. “Just five year ago, they won a state title. You can see and feel the support. I believe we can get it done quickly. The school has very good facilities. Everything is intact, in place to have success. We just have to go put our system in and get after it.”

Ellis graduated from Karr in 1996 and graduated from Tulane in 2001.

Ellis started in coaching as a defensive line coach at Karr in 2014, spending three years there and went to Warren Easton in 2017 as defensive line coach before serving as defensive coordinator the last four years.

“Being with two great programs and learning as a player from Don Wattigny and Tommy Bowden and as a coach from Brice Brown and Jerry Phillips, I was able to see how we were able to have the success we had, how to run a program, how it is supposed to be better,” Ellis said. “Brice runs a tight ship and so does Jerry. It is almost like a cheat-sheet. I feel like I am very well prepared. I will implement some things I learned from them and utilize what I know to put forth a similar system to succeed.”

As a 4A school, Landry must be ready for the challenge of being in the same district (10-4A) as West Bank rival Karr and in the same class as Warren Easton.

“It will be a challenge to face those guys and a bit strange to coach against Easton but I look forward to the challenge,” Ellis said. “I have already had lots of experience coaching against Karr. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.”

Ellis is hitting the ground running.

“I am excited about it,” Ellis said. “Some Landry young men have already reached out to me. They want structure, discipline, to change the culture. They want to win and that is what we intend to do. The athletes are there. The sky is the limit.”

SCHOOL RELEASE:
Algiers Charter Names Noel Ellis as Head Football Coach at L.B. Landry High School

Algiers Charter and L.B. Landry High School are pleased to announce that Noel Ellis has been named Head Football Coach for the Landry High School Buccaneers.

“We are super excited to have Coach Ellis join the Lord Beaconsfield Landry Buccaneer family,” Landry Athletic Director Gabrielle Carter said. “We look forward to a fresh start with Coach Ellis. His experience and prior success gives me the confidence that he is the right candidate for the job. We are moving in the right direction as we continue re-building the LB Landry legacy.”

Ellis has led his teams to five state championships and has mentored hundreds of student-athletes to help them reach their full potential.

“I’m honored and it’s an absolute privilege to be in this position as the new Head Football Coach at L.B. Landry High School,” Ellis said. “I plan to implement a system and build a foundation that is based on discipline, accountability, and consistency. The system is proven to be very successful; everyone just has to trust the process and do their job! I can’t wait to meet the kids and get started.”

Ellis graduated from Edna Karr High School and Tulane University, where he was a linebacker. Most recently, Ellis served as the defensive coordinator for Warren Easton High School. He previously served as the defensive line coach at both Warren Easton and Karr.

Ellis has been awarded numerous accolades, including being named Coach of the Year and USA Today Super 25 in 2016.

We are excited to have Coach Ellis join the Algiers Charter family and our Buc Nation. As Ellis said, “LETS GO, Algiers. STAND UP!”