A New Era Begins: Coach Dallas Washington Leads Ecclesia Royals Into the 2026–2027 Season
New leadership, new faces, and a fresh identity have the Royals looking to make their mark this season.
The Ecclesia Royals men's basketball program is entering the 2026–2027 season with a completely new look, both on the sidelines and on the court. With a new roster and a new leader at the helm, the Royals are preparing to begin an exciting chapter under first-year head coach Dallas Washington.
With so many new faces joining the program, there are plenty of questions surrounding what fans can expect from this year's team. We caught up with Coach Washington to get an inside look at the Royals, their playing style, emerging leaders, strengths and weaknesses, and the matchups he is most looking forward to this season.
Establishing an Identity on Both Ends of the Floor
With an entirely new roster, one of Washington's biggest priorities is establishing a team identity. When asked what fans should expect from the Royals offensively and defensively, Washington emphasized controlling the tempo, versatility, and making an impact beyond scoring.
"Being able to control the pace of play on the floor as the team is three-level scorers. Mostly being able to control the tempo whether we are up or down in the ball game. Having guys come into the game and contribute to the game with the tangible things. Rebounding, ball pressure, great tenacity on help defense, and heart."
For Washington, success will not be measured solely by the number of points his team puts on the scoreboard. Instead, he wants his players to bring energy, toughness, and discipline to every possession.
The Royals will look to create opportunities through their ability to score at all three levels while maintaining defensive intensity and controlling the pace of the game.
New Faces Emerging as Team Leaders
With the departure of last season's players, Washington has been tasked with replacing not only production on the court but also leadership inside the locker room.
When asked which newcomers have stood out during the offseason, Washington highlighted two players who have already made an impression: transfer Jaleel Thrower and true freshman Gabe Davis Jr., a product of Mills High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
"Jaleel Thrower being a transfer in and Gabe Davis Jr. being a true freshman from Mills High School in Little Rock (Arkansas). With the change of leadership, they have been great teammates and have shown great leadership. You can tell Gabe was a vocal leader both on and off the court at Mills."
Having players willing to step into leadership roles early will be important for a team that is still developing chemistry. Washington believes Thrower and Davis have already demonstrated the qualities needed to help bring the group together.
Their leadership, both through their words and actions, could play a significant role in how quickly the Royals develop their identity.
Strengths, Depth, and Areas for Improvement
Depth is always an important factor in basketball, especially for a team adjusting to a new coaching staff and roster. Washington recognizes that his team has strengths it can build around, along with areas that will require additional attention throughout the season.
When asked about the strongest and thinnest positions on the roster, Washington pointed to the versatility of his guards as a major advantage.
"Guard play, very versatile. Some of the guards are reaching 6'2" to 6'3". Being able to play the 2 and 3 spot, being able to play from both inside and hit from outside the 3. Post play, we only have two guys over 6'4". One guy is 6'5" and one is 6'6". Yes, they are small, but they bring great aggressiveness to the interior."
The Royals' guard play could provide matchup problems for opponents, particularly with players capable of attacking the basket and knocking down shots from beyond the arc.
However, the team's lack of size in the post could present challenges against bigger opponents. Washington remains confident that his interior players will make up for their size disadvantage through physicality, effort, and aggressiveness.
Challenging Road Games Will Test the Royals
The Royals' schedule features several challenging road matchups, including games against larger collegiate programs. While those contests may present difficult tests, Washington sees them as valuable opportunities for his young team to grow.
When asked how those games could shape the season, Washington emphasized the importance of learning from each experience.
"Being able to go on the road and help mold the identity of this team, being able to see what needs to be worked on and improved on. See what things we need to enhance. Being able to have the right experience with these teams, being able to grab what we can from film and taking the coaching as well as the player-to-player conversations."
For Washington, these matchups are about more than wins and losses. They provide opportunities to evaluate his players, identify weaknesses, and develop the chemistry necessary to compete as the season progresses.
Film study, communication, and the willingness to accept coaching will all be important parts of the Royals' development.
Opening the Season in a Hostile Environment
The Royals will waste no time facing a challenging atmosphere when they open their season on Saturday, October 24, against John Brown University.
The matchup will feature John Brown's famous "Toilet Paper Game," an event known for its unique tradition and energetic crowd.
For a team filled with newcomers, playing in that environment will provide an immediate test of composure and discipline.
When asked what his team must focus on during the season opener, Washington made it clear that the Royals cannot allow the atmosphere to become a distraction.
"Not being able to let the moment and the crowd dictate the game. Playing in the world-famous toilet paper game vs. JBU is going to be a loud, great crowd environment. But handle the business within the 94 feet and playing the five on the court. Let me do the coaching and doing what we do and have been doing for the last six weeks."
Washington wants his players to remain focused on their assignments and trust the preparation they have put in throughout the preseason.
With six weeks of practice behind them, the Royals will finally have an opportunity to put their work to the test against outside competition.
A Special Homecoming for Coach Washington
While the season opener against John Brown University will be memorable, there are other games on the schedule that carry personal significance for Washington.
One matchup he has circled is against the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), a place that played an important role in the beginning of his collegiate coaching career.
Washington previously served as an operations manager for the UAPB women's basketball program under Coach Erica Leak. His connections to the university and its basketball programs make the upcoming matchup particularly meaningful.
"Being able to bring this group of guys home to play in front of my home crowd. Where I actually got my collegiate start as operations manager on the women's side of the ball with Coach Erica Leak, who had a great season last year. But just having Coach Solomon Bozeman being someone who took me under his wing. Being able to play/coach against him with the group of guys I have. One player on UAPB I played high school ball with. Just being able to go down there would be special for me as well."
The matchup will give Washington an opportunity to return to familiar surroundings, reconnect with people who helped shape his coaching journey, and lead his own team against a program that holds special meaning to him.
Another meaningful stop on the schedule will be Grambling State University in Louisiana, where Washington's father previously coached for three years.
Both matchups will offer more than just basketball competition. They represent opportunities for Washington to reflect on his journey while introducing his new team to places that have played important roles in his life.
A New Chapter for Royals Basketball
As the 2026–2027 season approaches, there is a sense of anticipation surrounding the Ecclesia Royals men's basketball program.
With a new head coach, an almost entirely new roster, and a challenging schedule ahead, the Royals will have plenty of opportunities to establish their identity.
Washington understands that building a successful program takes time, but his expectations are already clear: play with heart, control the tempo, compete defensively, and continue improving every day.
The combination of versatile guard play, emerging leadership, and a commitment to playing with toughness will be important as the Royals navigate their first season under Washington.
The journey begins Saturday, October 24, when Ecclesia travels to John Brown University for its season opener.
For Coach Dallas Washington and the Royals, the 2026–2027 season represents more than a fresh start. It is an opportunity to establish a new standard and begin building the future of Ecclesia men's basketball.
A new coach. A new team. A new era of Royals basketball.
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