Ricky Ross picked to coach Marion County High School football

photo Ricky Ross
Arkansas-Ole Miss Live Blog

JASPER, Tenn. - Marion County High School has named former Calhoun defensive coordinator Ricky Ross as its new head football coach.

Ross was introduced to the team Friday afternoon and will begin working at the school on Feb. 21.

"We were impressed by his energy and enthusiasm about being a teacher and coach here," Marion County principal Larry Ziegler said. "He's had a lot of success in his previous coaching stints and that success at bigger programs was impressive for us."

Ross was hired to take over at county rival South Pittsburg in late January of 2013, but stepped down two months later. He spent last season as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Mary Persons High School, a Class AAAA program in Forsyth, Ga. He helped that program to a 10-2 record, holding six opponents to less than 10 points before losing in the second round of the playoffs.

At Marion County, he takes over for Mac McCurry, who was the Warriors coach for two seasons before resigning in late November.

The 39-year old Ross helped build Calhoun into an annual Georgia power as the Yellow Jackets won eight straight region titles while he was on staff. In his five seasons as Calhoun's defensive coordinator, Ross helped that program reach Georgia's Class AA state championship game five times, winning one title in 2011.

Ross's wife, Sandy, is a 1990 graduate of Marion County High School who lettered in three sports there.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.

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