Ross, a 31-year coaching veteran, accepted the head job at Johnson Central High School Monday afternoon.
When Ross looked into the faces of 108 potential returning players yesterday, he knew it was the right move.
``That gets to the real root of the reason for wanting to go there," he said. ``It's numbers. I don't know any other game, other than football, that's more of a numbers game."
For most of his coaching career, Ross has found himself caught in the numbers crunch.
Even while developing Raceland into one of the elite Class A programs in eastern Kentucky, he was often stonewalled by a lack of numbers while going up against powerful northern Kentucky in the playoffs.
For the past five years at larger Boyd County, the numbers weren't what he'd call ideal either.
``The differences in the numbers is incredible," he said. ``Ashland is having the same problem. Everybody is, with maybe the exception of Russell. It's a major problem plaguing our (area) teams; not getting enough kids out."
That won't be a problem at Johnson Central, which is coming off a 2-8 season. Bruce Humphrey resigned in December after his first season.
Bill Musick, a former Johnson Central head coach who is now the high school principal and football coach at Fairview, encouraged Ross to look into the job.
``It was a chance visit with Billy Musick on Christmas eve," Ross said. ``I'd been to Raceland taking some homemade cookies and candy to people. I had some left and stopped by Billy's house.
``He was telling me about Humphrey being ready to step down. He told me nobody knows how good a job it is."
Ross resigned earlier this month as Boyd County's head coach after five seasons.
``I'd done all I could do there," he said. ``The program is back on solid ground. The kids are accustomed to winning."
When Ross took over in 1997, Boyd County was coming off an 0-10 season.
In the past five years, the Lions were 27-26 and made the state playoffs three times. He also snapped an 11-game losing streak against arch-rival Ashland.
``Six years ago, we couldn't win a game," Ross said. ``We were the laughingstock football program in all of eastern Kentucky. The first thing we tried to do was gain some respect."
Ross doesn't see Johnson Central as so much of a rebuilding job.
``Johnson Central is only one year away from the greatest season in school history," he said.
Two years ago, the Golden Eagles were 11-1 under Musick, who resigned after that season to pursue the Fairview administration/coaching job.
During that season, Johnson Central defeated Boyd County 14-12 in the Class 4A district championship game — one of the toughest losses in Ross' coaching career.
Musick is the winningest coach in Johnson Central history — and a close friend of Ross.
``I'll be honest with you," Musick said. ``Johnson Central just hired the best coach they've ever hired in their school history. I've always been impressed with him. Character is what he's all about."
Ross had a highly successful 14-year coaching career at Raceland, where he is that school's winningest coach.
He was 112-48 and advanced the Rams to the Class A playoffs 11 times.
Also at Raceland, he was 9-5 against Paintsville and is one of the few coaches in Kentucky to have a winning record against Paintsville's legendary Walter Brugh (8-4).
Paintsville is, of course, the biggest rival for Johnson Central.
``I look forward to my first Apple Bowl," Ross said.
There's a couple of other dates already circled on the calendar, too.
Johnson Central opens the season Aug. 23 against Ashland in Putnam Stadium — a place where Ross had his most satisfying wins while at Raceland — and Sept. 6 at Boyd County.
``That one should ring some bells," he said.
Interestingly enough, Boyd County's most thorough win of last season may have come in a 45-0 walloping of Johnson Central.
Ross has matched wits with several former Johnson Central coaches — Spike Berkhimer, Ronnie Wells, Steve Trimble and Musick.
``You always have to be prepared for everything with Bill Tom," Musick said. ``I love coaching against him. One year we practiced all week for his fake punts and he practiced all week for the fake punt we do. And I'll be darned if we didn't pull it off on each other."
Ross' style of coaching fits well into Johnson Central's rugged makeup.
``You look at what Lawrence County, Sheldon Clark and even what Billy did at Johnson Central with these hard-nosed mountain kids," Ross said. ``These kids are kind of like a throwback to the old days. I feel like it's a good fit."
The Golden Eagles return 18 seniors and 11 of those are linemen.
``I like the numbers and the attitudes the kids have," Ross said. ``This is probably my last stop on the coaching trail. I'd like the chance to win big and, to do that, you have to have big numbers."
Ross will finish the teaching year at Boyd County but plans on making the 50-minute commute to Johnson Central a regular part of his routine.
``The drive is nice," he said. ``It gives you a chance to clear your mind."
Ross also plans to live in Catlettsburg after he joins Johnson Central fulltime.
Even after resigning as Boyd County's coach, Ross knew he wasn't finished with coaching.
``I plan on coaching until the day I die," he said. ``I want to go out on a two-point conversion or a goal-line stand to win the state championship."
