NASHVILLE – The Titans are mourning the loss of former scout Ellis Dwight Rainsberger.
Rainsberger, who passed away on July 17 at the age of 88, was a scout with the Titans from 2000–2004. While with the Titans, Rainsberger scouted the Southeastern portion of the United States in his first year with the team, and parts of the Midwest and the East over his final four seasons.
The team has expressed condolences to the family.
Rainsberger played collegiately at Kansas State, where he was a three-year letterman, and a two time All-Big Eight selection. He was a founding member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was also the Missouri Valley heavyweight wrestling champion. He wrestled professionally under the nickname "Cowboy Bob Ellis". Rainsberger played briefly for the Saskatchewan Rough Riders.
Rainsberger began his coaching career in 1958 as a high school coach and teacher at La Salle Peru HS in IL, then as an assistant at Drake University. He went on to become Head Coach at Washburn University in Topeka, KS, an assistant at Kansas, Head Coach at Southern Illinois, offensive coordinator at Illinois, offensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin, Head Coach at his alma mater, Kansas State, Assistant at Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. He coached in the fledgling USFL for the Denver Gold and Pittsburgh Maulers, then with Nick Saban at the Toledo Rockets.
Rainsberger also coached and scouted in the NFL for the Browns, Ravens, and Dolphins before retiring in 2007.
Funeral services for Rainsberger will be held at Swan Law Funeral Home (501 N. Cascade Ave) Colorado Springs, CO today 1:00 pm. Burial will be in Wyuka, Cemetery, in Nebraska City, Nebraska with Service on Monday, July 26th at 11 am. The family will receive friends and have visitation from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm, Sunday evening at the Gude Mortuary- 403 S 9th St, Nebraska City, NE.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in lieu of flowers to help start a non-profit in his honor:
Those interested can make a tax-deductible gift to the Ellis Rainsberger Coaches Scholarship Fund, which would benefit young scholar/athletes in need in his honor.
Please send checks to:
Schwab Charitable
1958 Summit Park Drive, Suite 200
Orlando FL 32810
FBO Ellis Rainsberger Coaches Scholarship Fund
account # 9900-7851
Direct questions to: Bud Rainsberger, bud@rwapartners.com,
719-339-9707
