Editor's Note: On April 6, James Ross III was introduced as the new outside linebackers coach at the University of Cincinnati, a College Football Playoff semifinalist in 2021.
by Alan Babbitt
James Ross III quickly made his mark on the Hope College football team in his first season as linebackers coach. He now is poised to take on an expanded role for the Flying Dutchmen.
Ross has been named Hope's new defensive coordinator, head coach Peter Stuursma announced.
The former starting linebacker and graduate assistant coach at the University of Michigan follows Mike Ricketts, who will retire from Hope this summer.
"I'm so excited about what James Ross is going to bring to the table as defensive coordinator," Stuursma said. "As we were talking about this, I asked him to put a little presentation together for me. Twenty minutes into that, I knew where we wanted to go. James brings such energy, enthusiasm, and instant credibility with our players. Since April, to watch the relationship he has with our players, it is really a lot of fun and exciting for me.
"James is going to put his energy, his enthusiasm, his knowledge, and his ability to relate to our players into play, and that's what you need to be a coordinator of a large group."
Ross is thrilled for the opportunity to lead the Flying Dutchmen defense.
"This scheme was already really good; this defense was already really good. Coach Mike Ricketts was amazing to this program," Ross said. "To follow someone like that is an honor. It means everything to me to put into a situation from a trust standpoint with Coach Stuursma."
2022 Schedule
Last fall, Ross's linebackers, including All-MIAA Second Team selection Jeremiah Purnell, helped the Flying Dutchmen rank No. 1 in the MIAA in scoring defense at 14.5 points per game allowed and No. 2 in total defense (291.7 yards per game).
Hope finished with an 8-2 overall record and claimed a share of its 22nd MIAA title.
"First thing is high-energy, confidence and playing with some type of swagger," Ross said when asked about what he wants from a defense led by him. "Bottom line is understanding what we're doing from a schematic standpoint and having guys play as fast as possible — a total buy-in."
Ross wants to build on the bonds he made with student-athletes and the coaching staff since he joined the Flying Dutchmen.
"Relationships are everything," Ross said. "I like to connect with my guys off the field, talk about life. In this world, things are tough. College is one of those times where you're going through a lot and find out who you are as a person."
Photo of James Ross III by Lynne Powe
Both of Hope's coordinators are former Big Ten football student-athletes and graduate assistants. Offensive coordinator Andrew Hawken played H-back for the Spartans (2007-10) and was a member of the coaching staff on MSU's 2015 national semifinalists.
Ross played linebacker at Michigan from 2012-15 and started for three seasons. He was named to the ESPN and Big Ten Network's All-Big Ten Freshman Teams. In 2016, Ross signed with the NFL's San Diego Chargers as a free agent and played in the preseason with them.
Prior to coming to Hope, Ross spent three years as a graduate assistant coach at Michigan under head coach Jim Harbaugh.
With the Wolverines, Ross worked with defensive coordinator Don Brown coaching linebackers including four current NFL players: All-American and first-round draft pick Devin Bush (2018-2019), second-round NFL draft pick Josh Uche (2018-2020), fifth-round NFL draft pick Khaleke Hudson (2018-2020), and free-agent Jordan Glasgow (2018-2020).
"James is the consummate football coach who is dedicated to mentoring and participating in the development of the young men he coaches and teaches," Harbaugh said when Ross was hired as Hope's linebackers coach. "He played and conducted himself at a high level as a student-athlete and later as an outstanding football coach at the University of Michigan."
Ross holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in African American Studies. He minored in Community Action and Social Change at Michigan.
In high school, Ross helped Orchard Lake St. Mary's win the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 state title as a junior in 2011. He was named to the Rivals High All-American team and All State Detroit Free Press Dream Team that season. As a senior, Ross was named to the U.S. Army All-American game, the Detroit News Blue Chip List, and the All State Detroit Free Press Dream Team two years in a row.
