James Ross III joined the Hope College Football coaching staff for the 2021 season as linebackers coach. Ross was named defensive coordinator on February 14, 2022, but shortly after, the University of Cincinnati hired him as linebackers coach.
Prior to arriving at Hope, Ross had spent three years as a graduate assistant coach with the University of Michigan football program under head coach, Jim Harbaugh. He was enrolled in the Master of Social Work program at the University of Michigan.
At The University of Michigan, Ross worked with Defensive Coordinator, Don Brown, coaching the linebackers. Ross coached All American and first-round NFL draft pick, Devin Bush (2018-2019), Second Team All-Big Ten and second-round draft pick Josh Uche (2018-2020), Second-Team All-Big Ten, fifth-round NFL draft pick Khaleke Hudson (2018-2020), and Jordan Glasgow (2018-2020). All are currently playing in the NFL.Â
In 2017, Ross spent one season coaching at the high school level, serving as a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Detroit Loyola High School.
After graduating from The University of Michigan, Ross signed as an NFL free agent and spent the 2016 season with the San Diego Chargers.
As a player, Ross was a four-year scholarship student-athlete at The University of Michigan, playing Linebacker from 2012 to 2015. Ross was a three-year starter. He received a Bachelor’s degree in African American Studies with a minor in Community Action and Social Change. In 2012, Ross was named to ESPN and Big Ten Networks All-Big Ten Freshman Team.
Ross graduated from Saint Mary’s Preparatory High School in 2012 was coached by George Porritt and helped his team win the Michigan Division III state title as a senior. Ross matched up with Coach Peter Stuursma’s team three times during Stuursma’s tenure as the Head Football Coach at East Grand Rapids High School. His junior year, Ross was named to the Rivals High All-American team and All-State Detroit Free Press Dream Team. His senior year, he 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 for the second year in a row. In 2016, Ross was inducted into the Catholic League Hall of Fame.
Ross and his wife, Omni, are both from The Metropolitan Detroit area. They have one son, Jayce (1). They now reside in Hudsonville.
