Wow: ESPN reports,
Army is counting on Bobby Ross and his record of success to turn around college football's worst team.I'm amazed West Point was able to attract a coach of Ross' caliber, given all the obstacles that exist for recruiting players. But this sounds like an excellent fit and gives Army a chance to get back to respectability in a hurry.Ross was hired to lead Army on Tuesday, returning to football after resigning as the Detroit Lions' coach three years ago. His football experience is vast: Ross coached the San Diego Chargers to the Super Bowl in 1995 and won a national title at Georgia Tech in 1990.
Army, meanwhile, is in disarray. It became the first team in NCAA history to finish 0-13 after losing to Navy 34-6 on Saturday. The academy fired coach Todd Berry in October with the team 5-35 in his four seasons. John Mumford acted as interim coach, going 0-7 after replacing Berry.
Ross said his past service in the Army and his sons' military background -- one graduated from the Naval Academy, another from the Air Force Academy -- made him a good fit for the job.
"I believe I understand the mission of West Point. I do. I believe in it strongly," Ross said at a news conference.
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Ross, a Virginia Military Institute graduate, spent 15 years as a college coach, including stints with The Citadel (1973-77), Maryland (1982-86) and Georgia Tech (1987-91). His national champion Georgia Tech team went 11-0-1, sharing the title with Colorado. His college record was 94-76-2.
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