Baseball Coaches

Coach Gann is in his third year on the Houston baseball staff, his second as a full-time coach and teacher. He is a product of the Hilltopper baseball program where he played for Coach Ellison. Gann is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a bachelor’s degree in education. His teaching duties at Houston High School includes World Geography and Mississippi Studies. He will be the Houston Junior High Head Coach and will be responsible for the outfielders on the HHS team. In addition to his baseball coaching duties, he is also one of the assistant coaches for the football team and is the JV Offensive Coordinator.

Coach Gann recently married in the summer of 2008 to the former Katie Taylor of Saltillo. Coach Gann is excited about the new year.

John Ellison became the head baseball coach at Houston High School in 2005. Since taking over the program, the Hilltoppers have compiled a record 0f 73-46 (.630 win pct). The Toppers recorded a District Title in 2003 and have made three playoff appearances. Ellison was chosen District 2-3A Coach of the Year in 2007 and was selected to coach in the NEMCABB All-Star Game.

Last season, Ellison led the Toppers to a 23-8 record, a 2nd place division finish, and the 2nd round of the playoffs. The Toppers were ranked in the Daily Journal Baseball Poll for the entire season, and achieved a ranking as high as 6th. Two players from the 2008 squad also moved on to play college baseball.

Coach Ellison has had the pleasure of working with numerous great players during his tenure at Houston. These include 21 All-Division players and nine who graduated and went on to play college baseball. Ellison currently has two players at Delta State University, two at Freed Hardeman University, one at Crichton University, one at Northeast Community College, and one playing professional baseball with the Colorado Rockies organization.

Prior to succeeding Coach Chuck Slay, Ellison served as an assistant coach at Houston under Slay and Coach Joe Williford for five seasons. He was the hitting coach and assisted with infielders and pitchers. During this time he helped the Hilltoppers win a District Title in 2000 and a North-Half Runner Up finish. Ellison also coached the American Legion team in Houston since 2000, and recorded a State Championship in 2003.

The Houston native graduated from Mississippi State University in 2001 with a degree in Mathematics Education. Prior to that he played baseball for Itawamba Community College for two years under coaches Chuck Box and Roy Cresap. Ellison was a member of the 1999 MACJAC State Champion Indian baseball team. Coach Ellison graduated from Houston High School in 1997.

Ellison is married to the former Crystel Bailey of Vardaman, Mississippi. The couple is the proud parents of daughters, Alexis and Dixie.

Baseball Coaches

Coach Scott Gann

Coach John Ellison