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Ellis tabbed as head of MCC softball

Dominic Ellis

Marshalltown Community College announced that Dominc Ellis will be taking over as the head coach of the Tiger softball program.

Former head coach Garland Shirley vacated the position at the end of July to take over the head coaching job at Clarke University. Shirley takes over the position left by Jeff Lamb, who was Shirley’s predecessor at MCC as well. Lamb, also the former head coach at Marshalltown High School, has moved on to take over the top job for the University of Dubuque softball program.

Ellis was the assistant coach at Graceland University under head coach Todd Verwers last season, and he was a part of the staff at West Marshall High School during its 2017 state tournament run.

“We are really excited to have Dominic on board with us as we look towards the future of Tiger softball,” MCC athletic director Kathleen Brown said. “He comes very highly recommended and I trust that he will be a stable presence for our softball program.”

Ellis said he knows what it takes to be successful in softball in both the state of Iowa and at the collegiate level, and he is excited about taking over Tiger softball.

“Being a part of a family and the energy and commitment it takes to be involved with sports drives me, and to be involved with a group of dedicated student-athletes with one common goal is pretty special,” he said. “Coaching at the junior college level is also special because these athletes have bigger goals, and in most cases, are willing to go the extra mile to get there. I can’t wait to get started and help these girls advance their careers in softball.”

MCC finished 15-24 last season, its first losing season since 2015. Ellis said he knows it will take some effort to get the program back to where it has been in the past, and that starts with bringing in the right kind of athletes.

“I want to recruit players that have the drive to become better students and better athletes,” he said. “At this level, these girls have the opportunity to move on to larger four-year institutions and play on the biggest stage our sport offers. This program wants hard working players that have the desire to put in the work to get there.

“The first thing I expect from the team is to be excellent in the classroom, that really is a top priority,” Ellis continued. “I expect our student athletes to be courteous, timely, and studious, both in the classroom and on the field. I expect my players to dedicate their efforts to becoming a better student, and a better athlete. If they succeed in that, they will have left MCC a better person then when they arrived.”

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