Ellis Holt began his coaching career in 1983 and has been coaching non-stop. In 1984, he began coaching at Central Junior High School and Lawton High School. His wrestling team at Central Junior High was recognized as Junior High State Champions in 1990. Later that year, Holt moved to Eisenhower High School and earned the school five city championships, three district championships, and four conference championships. In 2000, Holt moved to MacArthur High School and earned the school several City, District, and Conference Championships. In addition, MacArthur High took the Runner-Up spot in 2001-02 in the State Championships. Holt was honored as Junior High Coach of the Year in 1990, All-State Coach of the Year in 2004-05, and named six times as Region Four Coach of the Year. For his continued dedication to wrestling, the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Ellis Holt with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award.