Dec. 3, 2005
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Robin Ross, who was the defensive coordinator for two of the finest teams in school history in the mid-1990s, has been named the head football coach at Western Washington University, Viking Director of Athletics Lynda Goodrich announced today.
Ross, 51, was with Western in 1994 and 1995, but has spent most of the last three decades as an assistant at the NCAA Division I-A level. He also coached in the National Football League, being the linebackers coach with Oakland for two seasons, helping the Raiders have the ninth-ranked defense in the NFL in 2000, when they were 12-4 and reached the AFC Championship Game.
"This is a great opportunity for me and I'm honored to be the head coach at Western," said Ross, who has a home in the Bellingham area. "I've always wanted to be a head coach and this is a great place to do that. I've always considered this home."
"When I was here before, we were contending for a national championship. That's what I want to get back to. This is a program that has come a long way and I want to see it continue to grow. I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Ross, who was unanimously recommended by the search committee as the top candidate from nearly 60 applicants, takes over a program that begins competing in the North Central Conference in 2006. It is one of the toughest NCAA II leagues in the country, having four teams ranked nationally in the final 2005 NFCA Coaches Top 25 and three in the top six of the Northwest Region in which Western competes.
"Going into the NCC is going to be a challenge," Ross said. "This is an upper echelon conference where if you do well and get into the playoffs, you've got a great chance to win a national title."
This past season, Ross was linebackers coach at Oregon State University, where the Beavers led the PAC 10 in run defense, allowing 108.0 yards per game. He spent the previous four seasons as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at University of Oregon. The Ducks won the 2001 PAC 10 championship, finishing second in the ESPN Coaches Poll after defeating Colorado in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl. He was also at Oregon as an assistant during the 1997 and 1998 seasons.
"Robin Ross is someone who understands Western's emphasis on quality on the field and in the classroom," said Western President Karen Morse. "In his new role as head coach, he is committed to reflecting the very best of Western Washington University. I have confidence in his ability to achieve the goals of the athletic department while supporting our larger University-wide commitment to educational excellence."
Ross came to Western in 1994 and in his first season, the Vikings led the NAIA Division II in scoring defense, allowing just 11.5 points a game and five times holding opponents without a touchdown. Western, which posted its first national playoff victory that season with a 21-2 triumph at No.1-ranked Linfield, ranked third nationally in rushing defense at 76.0 yards a contest and fifth in total defense (260.3) with 42 takeaways (26 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries).
In 1995, Western finished 9-1, going 9-0 for the first undefeated regular-season for the school in 57 years and being ranked No.1 nationally in NAIA II for five weeks. The defense allowed 13.7 points a game, ranking seventh nationally in that category.
"Robin Ross is a perfect fit for our program and the University," said Goodrich. "He has extensive experience, he has recruiting background in the areas we need to draw student-athletes, and he is a person of impeccable character and integrity. Additionally, he is someone who has been here, so we've witnessed these qualities first hand and know he understands what it takes to run a successful program at Western."
Immediately prior to coming to Western, Ross had been defensive coordinator at Iowa State University from 1987 to 1993. He has also been a defensive coordinator at Fresno State University (1996) and University of Cincinnati (1984 and 1985).
"The most enjoyable years I've had coaching were at Western," Ross said. "It's the only time I've coached anywhere other than Division I or pro. I love to teach and I found that it's a lot truer form of coaching here. A lot more of the players at this level are here because they love football."
Ross began his coaching career at Long Beach State University in 1977. A graduate of Washington State University, where he also spent one season as a defensive line coach, Ross was a second-team all-PAC-8 pick as an offensive lineman. He was a 10th round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 1976, and spent one preseason with the Seattle Seahawks.
Ross, who becomes the 13th head coach in the 95-year history of Western football, is a graduate of El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, Calif. He and wife Jean have been married for 25 years.
Ross replaces Rob Smith, who resigned in early November following 17 seasons where he posted a 109-62-1 record, establishing school-bests in victories and winning percentage (.637). The Vikings were 4-6 last season.
"This is a strong program that has made a good transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II," Ross said. "I want to make this an annual playoff team, striving to win the whole thing."
Western opens its 2006 season on Sept. 2 at Humboldt State.
Robin RossHead Football CoachWestern Washington University
In first year as head coach at Western ... Was Vikings' defensive coordinator in 1994 and 1995, two of the best seasons in school history ... Western led NAIA Division II in scoring defense in 1994, allowing just 11.5 points a game and five times holding opponents without a touchdown ... That season, the Vikings were 8-3 and posted their first national playoff victory with a 21-2 triumph at No.1-rated Linfield, being ranked third nationally in rushing defense at 76.0 yards a contest and fifth in total defense (260.3) with 42 takeaways ... In 1995, Western finished 9-1, going 9-0 for school's first undefeated regular season in 57 years and being ranked No.1 nationally for five weeks. Defense allowed 13.7 points a game, ranking seventh nationally in that category ... Was linebackers coach at Oregon State in 2005, the Beavers leading the PAC 10 in rushing defense allowing 108.0 yards per game ... Spent previous four seasons (2001-04) as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at Oregon ... During that tenure, the Ducks won the 2001 PAC 10 championship, finishing second in the ESPN Coaches Poll after defeating Colorado in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl ... Also was an assistant at Oregon in 1997 and 1998, coaching the defensive line and linebackers ... Coached two years in the NFL with Oakland, helping Raiders to ninth-ranked defense in the league in 2000 when they were 12-4 and reached the AFC Championship Game ... Was defensive coordinator at Iowa State from 1987 to 1993, and defensive coordinator at Fresno State in 1996 and Cincinnati in 1984 and 1985 ... Defensive line coach at Washington State in 1986 and handled same duties at Long Beach State from 1977 to 1983 ... Graduate of Washington State, earning bachelor's degree in physical education in 1977 ... Played two seasons as offensive lineman for Cougars, receiving honorable mention All-American and second-team PAC 8 Conference all-star honors in 1975 ... Began collegiate career at Rio Hondo Community College (Whittier, Calif.), playing two seasons and earning first-team All-Southern California Conference honors ... Tenth round draft pick of San Francisco 49ers in 1976 and played for Seattle Seahawks for one preseason ... Native American (Cherokee) ... 51 years old ... He and wife Jean (formerly Kwid) have been married since 1980.
Western picks Ross
Oregon State assistant Robin Ross hired as Vikings' football head coach
Joe Sunnen, Bellingham Herald
There is a new face of Western Washington University football.
Robin Ross was officially named head football coach at WWU on Saturday, after a week of speculation that the former Vikings defensive coordinator had been selected to take over the program. Ross replaces longtime Vikings coach Rob Smith, who resigned in November after 17 seasons with WWU.
"This is an exciting time," Ross said in a phone interview. "I'm honored to be taking over the program and happy to be coming back to the area. I've considered Bellingham my home since I left 10 years ago."
Ross, 51, coached at WWU in 1994 and 1995, helping the Vikings become one of the top-ranked defenses in the country at the NAIA Division II level. He brings 29 years of the coaching experience to the position, including 27 at the collegiate level. He also served two seasons with the Oakland Raiders as linebackers coach. This is his first head coaching job.
"I really think this is the perfect situation for me," Ross said. "I've never felt more ready to be a head coach."
Ross spent last season as the linebackers coach at Oregon State University, coaching two All-Pac-10 linebackers while helping the Beavers lead the conference in run defense. He also served as the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at the University of Oregon for four seasons before joining OSU.
"It's a great opportunity for Robin," OSU coach Mike Riley said in a phone interview. "As much as I hate to lose him I know he's going to be a great head coach. He brings all the parts of a college coach; the on-field aspect, the recruiting, and the focus on academics. He takes everything to the utmost level."
Ross was unanimously recommended by the WWU search committee as the best candidate for the job from a pool of nearly 60 applicants. Ross becomes the Vikings' 13th head coach in the 95-year history of the program. His first official day will be Dec. 15, WWU athletic director Lynda Goodrich said.
"He brings a wealth of experience," Goodrich said in a phone interview. "He understands what our university is about and what coaching at this level is about. Our student-athletes and our community should reap the benefits."
Ross joins the WWU football program during a time of transition. The Vikings move into the North Central Conference next season, one of the most competitive conferences in NCAA Division II in the country, and also lose 17 seniors from last year. WWU finished 4-6 last season.
"The No. 1 goal is always to win the division and win an NCAA Division II championship," Ross said. "But a lot of stuff has to happen to achieve those goals. We have a lot of work to do."
Ross met with the team on Monday while interviewing for the position and said he was impressed with their level of commitment to the program. The players also responded positively to Ross, junior quarterback James Monrean said.
"I'm happy that we got this over with and that we can start focusing on what we need to do to be a better football team," Monrean said. "I think we really got a strong coach. He obviously has excellent credentials and he's been successful everywhere he's been."
Ross, originally from California, graduated from Washington State University in 1977 with a degree in physical education. He was a 10th-ound draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers and spent a preseason with the Seattle Seahawks before starting his coaching career at Long Beach State University.
"One of the most important things when you start a new coaching job is to have a vision of what you want that program to be," Riley said. "I think he has that vision."
