After graduating from Frostburg State University, Ellinger taught physical education at Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, MD, where he coached a number of sports, including soccer.
During this time, Tony Stevens, President and Founder of the Olney Soccer Club, served as an early mentor for Ellinger, helping to expand his sophisticated understanding of the game.
Ellinger also served as the varsity wrestling coach at John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, Maryland for the 1988–89 season.
In his role as coach of the U-17's, Ellinger has also headed up the USSF's Bradenton Academy, where many of the United States's most talented youths are developed.
While at Bradenton, Ellinger had a significant role in developing many of the most outstanding of American soccer players, including Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Bobby Convey, Edward Johnson, Chad Marshall, Freddy Adu, Eddie Gaven, Danny Szetela, and Jonathan Spector.