Steve Ellison’s 200th win
by PrepSports
Posted by Staff Writer Eric Branch:
Petaluma coach Steve Ellison didn’t expect many of his former players to show up. And he didn’t expect T-shirts to be made for the occasion. And the cake was a surprise. And so was the heartfelt letter from Mike Holmgren.
Basically, Ellison didn’t expect much to be made of his 200th win at the school, a milestone he achieved with Petaluma’s 34-0 win over visiting Sonoma. But the man who is regarded among the Empire’s most successful, dignified and classy coaches was touched that so many people thought the moment was worth celebrating.
“I was overwhelmed,” said Ellison, 64, in his 31st year at the school. “I was just totally blown away. I thought at the end of the game someone might say ‘Hey, coach Ellison got his 200th win’ and that would be about it … The 200 wins are nice, but the thing that made it really special is that a lot of people seemed really excited for me.”
Ellison, who ran his record at the school to 200-126-7, was lifted onto his players’ shoulders after the game. Then T-shirts were distributed to players, coaches, parents and staff which read “Coach Elli’s 200th win.” A letter from former Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who was an assistant under Ellison at Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Francisco, was read. In the letter, Holmgren touched on Ellison’s significant impact on his career.
Petaluma assistant coach Manny Lopes, who played for Ellison from 1986-89 and has coached with him since 1990, said he could tell his understated old coach was moved by the postgame celebration.
“It was a special evening, but it was done in a real quiet way,” Lopes said. “And that’s how I’d sum up Elli — real classy and quiet. The parents and everyone did a great job of making sure it didn’t go unnoticed and if it was up to Elli it would have gone unnoticed … He’s not a grandstanding type of guy. But he was so humbly excited and just so touched.”
In the game’s final moments, Ellison did have a sense something might be happening to acknowledge No. 200. But he guessed his players might douse him with the Gatorade bucket. He asked Lopes to make sure he stayed dry.
“In his old age, he likes to play the senior-citizen card,” Lopes said with a laugh. “But I protected him. We don’t want him catching the sniffles with a big game coming up.”
Good for Coach Ellison. Congrats.
by Joe
Good for Petaluma… The coach and the kids.
Team players want to part of a bigger picture. Helping coach Ellison get that 200th win deserves recognition. The boys won’t forget it.
by Mark
Great article! Coach Ellison is a great person. I can speak for many when I say you can glean an enormous amount of wisdom by knowing this man not only about football, but about life. I know what he has told me about marriage, raising kids, and countless other experiences in his life that by listening to him I will be a better and more successful person. Coach Ellison lives the life of a great teacher!
by 1988
Thanks Coach, glad we could be a part of your winning team
Good luck with the rest of the Season….. GO TROJANS…YOU CAN DO IT!!
by PHS
I’d liked to congratulate my big brother on this momentous occasion. He deserves all of the praise and good wishes he receives. In regards to the comments above, he’s been that type of person since we were little kids growing up in San Francisco. When I played little league baseball, he was the loudest yeller in the stands. For him to receive the love and admiration from the students and parents of Petaluma High School does not surprise me at all.
Joe and Linda (the folks)would be very proud of him right now. I’m sure they’re smiling down on him right now.
Buddy
by Buddy Ellison
If I would have known, I would have flown in from Montana to be there for this special occasion!! Congrats Elli!!!
In fact, he probably needed a stat girl to call plays, “66 Quick”
Best!
Katie
by Katie Lutsovich Walters
I too, would like to congratulate my brother on his accomplishments. My husband Paul Mertens and I are very of proud of him. Like I told him and I see my other brother has done the same thing, our parents would have been so proud to have seen this occasion. Keep up the good work, Steve.
Carol Ellison Mertens
by Carol Mertens
Elli great work you have been a great role model for a lot of kids since you came to petaluma in 1977. Now tell the boys to stay focused and lets win The SCL title and North Coast.
by Soccer dad
Did Ellison coach at Burlingame HS for a year or two early in the 1980s when the Panthers were struggling?
by John Horgan
Congratulations, Coach, on your milestone. You are a terrific coach and person. And to think, we could have had you at San Dieguito!
by Jim