CARROLLTON, Ga. - The UWG football coaching staff is complete, as head coach Joel Taylor announced the final on-field position today with the hiring of Sumner Ellis as the Wolves linebackers coach. 
 
It's the fourth stop in Ellis' collegiate coaching career and the second stop alongside Taylor.
 
"I'm thrilled to have Sumner, Jordan, and little Wyatt joining the UWG family. Sumner has been with me for the last four years at Mercer and his work ethic is unmatched and I know he will give his all to West Georgia," said Taylor.
 
At Mercer, Ellis was the Bears' defensive ends coach and defensive recruiting coordinator, and was a big part of the defensive transformation at Mercer over his four years alongside Taylor.
 
"I am fired up to be joining Coach Taylor's staff here at UWG. I believe in his vision and look forward to being a part of this football program's history as we transition to Division I," said Ellis. "Carroll County has become a second home for me so I am very excited to be back in this community."
 
In 2022 the Bears' defense led the FCS in interceptions with 17. The defense gave up a conference low 28 total touchdowns on the season. Opponents converted just 34.3 percent of third-downs against the Bears defense, the second best third-down defense in the conference. Isaac Dowling led the team with 99 tackles, tied for third most in the SoCon.
 
Three players on the front seven in defensive linemen, Solomon Zubairu and Chris Hill, and linebacker Isaac Dowling were a part of five total to be named All-Conference on Mercer's defensive unit in 2022.
 
In the fall of 2021, the Bears improved their ranking nationally from No. 117 to No. 20. The defense reduced the number of points allowed per game from 35.4 to 22.7 and had an increased production in take-aways, from 112^th nationally to 15^th.
 
Before his time in Macon, Ellis spent the 2018-19 seasons at Presbyterian as the linebackers coach, and mentored Colby Campbell who led the Big South with 12.5 tackles per game and set a program record in total tackles with 150.
 
His first stop after a playing career at Presbyterian and Louisiana Tech was at the high school level here at Central Carroll from 2011 to 2015. His first stop in the collegiate ranks was at Georgia Southern as a graduate assistant.
 
Ellis is married to Jordan Hyatt Ellis and the couple has one son, Wyatt.