More often than not, a professional (in any field) is judged by their resumé. In an occupation like coaching, one individual is held accountable for the actions and successes (or lack thereof) within a program—the head coach. This seemingly unfair reality can be a difficult concept for folks to grasp, but it’s the nature of the beast. Take someone like Gary Ellington, the head coach of Weddington High School for the last fifteen years, and consider his long, winding road full of ups and downs to reach this point of ultimate triumph. After consistently winning games and state titles, and putting countless kids into college, what could be next for Coach Ellington?
In order to look forward, we must first go back to fully understand the overall arc of Ellington’s path into coaching. Although his passion and desire for the game of basketball was evident at an early age, it wasn’t until meeting the late, great Jim Valvano when Ellington’s coaching spark fully ignited. After growing up as a North Carolina State fan, meeting (arguably) the most legendary figure in their history, and realizing what a kind, genuine person Valvano was, the young Ellington began to wonder, “could I do this?”
Knowing what we know now, it seems silly to even consider the North Carolina high school landscape without Warriors’ lead man. However, coaching certainly wasn’t a guaranteed path for Ellington. Following high school, he opted to forgo opportunities to play basketball in college to work in construction. Nearly six years later, Ellington had been hardened by marriage, fatherhood, and the mundane routine of a blue-collar profession. Life wasn’t a constant struggle, but it didn’t appear to be much of a walk through the meadow either. Regardless, everything changed in 2001.
Soon thereafter, Ellington moved back in with his father in Henderson, North Carolina. Just before preparing to take a factory job (an upgrade from his previous endeavor), he decided to stop by Louisburg College and speak with their long-time head coach, Enid Drake. It was this conversation that took Ellington from a potential assembly line worker to one of the most successful coaches in the Hoopstate. He says it, “changed my life.”
Though Ellington was willing and ready to go back to college, get his teaching degree, and happily become a manager, Coach Drake asked his former recruit if he (a guy six years removed from his high school career and four years since touching a basketball) would be interested in trying out for the team. The logic behind this offer was to try and turn scholarship money into some type of wage for the young Ellington. The extra money was cool, but the prospective vision of playing again is what invigorated him. Almost everyone reaches this crossroads in life, where they are tasked with choosing between financial gain and their ultimate passion. Most people would’ve taken the factory job, enjoyed the benefits, and waited for something to eventually fall in their lap. Had that conversation never occurred, most folks would’ve probably ever heard of Coach Ellington.
Everything seemed to line up perfectly for him to have a movie-style ending to this chapter of the story, right? Unfortunately, not. Despite tirelessly working to get back into playing shape, Ellington (and his body) was simply not ready. He did not make the team, but was still able to gain experience as a manager. This actually worked out better, as it allowed him to build a stronger relationship with his mentor in Drake. Ellington continued to work relentlessly to make the team while still learning the nuances of the college game. Next season, he made the team and, although received minimal playing time, cites these years as some of the most pivotal for his eventual career.
By next year, Ellington became a manager for Coach Bobby Lutz and University of North Carolina Charlotte. While he considers this incredibly valuable learning experience, it was undeniably different from his expectations and what he’d previously known at Louisburg College. He recalls Coach Lutz being one of the most knowledgeable, well-prepared people within the college coaching ranks. Though it differed from his most recent venture, Ellington still valued the situation in an extremely high regard.
Immediately after graduating, he applied for and was named the assistant coach (and head junior varsity coach) for Weddington High School. Following the season, the head coach (Don Newton) departed for Texas and left the Warriors with a void to fill. Reflecting back, Coach Ellington recalls thinking he wouldn’t even receive consideration for the position. His primary focus was simply staying aboard the coaching staff, much less legitimately pursuing the head job. He and nearly 30 other applicants threw their names in the ring. Though it didn’t feel like it, all the stars were aligning for something special to arise.
The separating factor between Ellington and the dozens of others? His passion, initiative, and ego-less demeanor upon the exit of Coach Newton. Even when there was nothing solidified or potentially looming, Ellington’s desire to coach shined through. There were no guarantees that he would even hold employment as a teacher, let alone take over the basketball program. He was still voluntarily holding workouts and acting as any head coach would do—but didn’t have any realobligation as an assistant from the former staff. This mentality and selfless approach are what directly led to his hiring.
It’s easy to say, “the rest is history,” and place his career numbers on the screen—but they really don’t appropriately encompass how successful Ellington has been since his hiring. For starters, it took some time for Weddington to become this public-school powerhouse we see today. He remembers trying to search for a coaching identity, rather than create his own. This didn’t work. Three seasons went by before the Warriors had even reached a winning record. Ellington was getting comfortable, but no one could’ve predicted what would eventually ensue. After three losing years to start his coaching career, Ellington rattled off more wins than losses in 11 of the next 12 seasons.
While that factoid alone would be enough to consider him a noteworthy coach, Coach Ellington and Weddington reached new heights of success last season. They achieved several milestones, including the first undefeated season and state championship for the basketball program. Typically, that would be enough for most coaches to become complacent. Instead, the taste of victory only further motivated this group. In an unprecedented fashion, Ellington and the Warriors just put together yet another undefeated season to claim back-to-back state titles.
There are plenty of examples, individuals, and circumstances that helped shape Ellington into the coach/person we currently know, from family to Coach Drake to Coach Lutz to Coach Newton, but he ultimately blazed his own path. How? He says, “doing something for people and not expecting anything in return. That’s ultimately why I’m in this position.” These principles over time have undoubtedly molded him into one of North Carolina’s premier coaches. It would be very difficult to imagine anyone else leading the charge for Weddington, but we should all expect the college coaching ranks to come for Ellington sooner than later.