Veteran coach Eric Ely was the Tigers' Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for three seasons, from 2004-07.
He was an experienced coach who also played the game at several different levels. Ely worked with the post players on the court and helped coordinate Mizzou's recruiting efforts.
During his time at Missouri, Ely coached Evan Unrau and Christelle N’Garsanet, a pair of All-Big 12 players who were both selected in the WNBA Draft. Unrau concluded her career ranked in the top 10 in 12 of 16 statistical categories, including third in career rebounds with 945. N’Garsanet led the Tigers in rebounds and blocked shots as a junior and senior while ranking second in scoring both seasons.
During a six-year stint at Oral Roberts, Ely coached three-time Mid-Continent Player of the Year Krista Ragan, who earned honorable mention All-America honors and finished her career in 2003 as the league’s all-time leading scorer. He also coached and recruited two Mid-Continent Newcomers of the Year and a Mid-Continent Tournament MVP.
Before joining the Oral Roberts staff, Ely was head coach at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon, Ohio, from 1996 to 1998. His win total improved by seven games over those two seasons, increasing from 12 wins in 1996-97 to 19 in 1997-98. For his efforts during the 1997-98 season, Ely was named the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region Coach of the Year. He also received votes from the Ohio Coaching Association as one of the top women’s college coaches in Ohio that season.
Before his time at Mount Vernon, Ely served as an assistant coach at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, for nine years. While at his alma mater, Ely was instrumental in recruiting several NAIA All-Americans. He also helped guide the Lady Crusaders to an NAIA Division II runner-up finish in 1994-95.
As a player, Ely spent time in an NBA training camp with the Detroit Pistons and played in the Los Angeles Lakers’ summer pro league. His professional experience also includes one year playing in France and four years in Brazil. While in France, he was named Outstanding American Player by the French media during the 1980-81 season. Ely was offered a lifetime contract while playing in Brazil and was named an all-star in 1984 and 1985.
Ely received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwest Nazarene in 1982 and earned his master’s degree from Albertson College of Idaho in 1995.
Ely and his wife, Regina, who is from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, have two children, C.J. (18) and Rachel (16).