Harold Ellis ‘92 serves as the Director of Athletics at Morehouse College, bringing in more than 20 years of leadership experience in professional sports, intercollegiate athletics, and strategic program development. A visionary and purpose-driven executive, Ellis is widely respected for his ability to elevate athletic programs through innovation, community partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to student-athlete success.
Since joining Morehouse in August 2023, Ellis has led a bold transformation of the institution’s athletic department. His leadership has resulted in increased national visibility, record-setting philanthropic partnerships, and athletic excellence across multiple sports. Notable milestones include a $100,000 collaboration with NBA legend Magic Johnson, a $250,000 investment from the Arthur M. Blank Foundation to install a state-of-the-art golf simulator in Forbes Arena, and a historic two-hour live broadcast of ESPN’s First Take from the Morehouse campus an institutional first.
Ellis has significantly expanded the college’s athletic footprint by increasing visibility with high-impact events such as the Morehouse/Howard Basketball Classic and facilitating Morehouse’s participation in the HBCU NBA All-Star Classic in Oakland, CA. These efforts have produced over $85,000 in direct payouts and introduced Morehouse student athletes to national and international audiences. Ellis helped increase exposure for Maroon Tiger athletics by creating the Maroon Tiger Sports Network to stream home athletic events. Under his direction, Morehouse also hosted the 2024 SIAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship and the 2025 SIAC Basketball Tournament, further strengthening the College’s reputation as a premier HBCU athletics institution.
Equally committed to academic achievement, Ellis has helped increase the athletic department’s average student-athlete GPA and guided the program to SIAC Championships in 2024 in Cross Country and the East Division in Basketball along with both Indoor Track & Field and Cross Country in 2025. Morehouse earned the SIAC Commissioner's Cup Trophy for the 2024-25 athletic season, the first such honor in over a decade. He also established the Basketball Den of Honor, created a dedicated Sports Marketing Manager position, and built relationships with national partners such as the YMCA, all contributing to a more holistic and professionalized student-athlete experience.
Before transitioning to collegiate athletics, Ellis enjoyed a distinguished career in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he held leadership positions with the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Atlanta Hawks. His NBA tenure included roles such as Director of Player Personnel, Director of Pro Scouting, and Assistant Coach. He was instrumental in major player acquisitions and salary cap strategy, notably aiding in the selections of Aaron Gordon, Al Horford, Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and numerous other players that have made a significant impact in the National Basketball Association. Ellis transitioned into the front office after a playing career in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers.
A 1992 Morehouse alumnus, Ellis earned his Bachelor of Science in Allied Health and Physical Education with a concentration in Secondary Education. He also holds a Master of Science in Sports Management and Administration from the United States Sports Academy.
Ellis is a life member of the Morehouse College National Alumni Association and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and an active member of the NBA Players Association. He was inducted into the SIAC Hall of Fame in 2014 for his contributions to basketball and collegiate sports leadership. Ellis is the first and only Maroon Tiger basketball player to have his number (30) retired by Morehouse and was inducted by his peers in the Morehouse Basketball Den of Honor in its inaugural class in 2025.
With deep roots in professional sports and a forward-looking vision for higher education, Harold Ellis continues to lead Morehouse Athletics with integrity, innovation, and a mission to develop champions on the field and in the classroom, and in life.
