FOOTBALL
Ross has Army believing again
He’s teaching the Black Knights to play with pride
By Mark Brown
Special to The Star-Bulletin
PHILADELPHIA » For the Army football program, this is unfamiliar ground.
There has been no winning season for nearly a decade, and only five victories over a four-year period from the 2000 season through 2004.
Back in the glory days of post-World War II, Army won national championships and was blessed with electrifying running backs Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard. But that was more than a half-century ago.
The dynamics of college football have dramatically changed, leaving Army and the other service academies behind most major universities in the recruiting wars. Losing out on high-quality, blue-chip prospects through the years forced Army to alter its recruiting direction.
Plus, losing consistently did not sit well with the brass in Washington or supporters of this august program. As a consequence, an effort was launched to address the condition.
After Todd Berry was fired as coach midway through the 2003 season, a committee was formed -- which included former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne and former Army assistant and current Dallas coach Bill Parcells -- to formulate direction for the program.
The recommendation was to bring in a high-profile, successful coach, add a commitment from the academy to take football seriously, and improve and upgrade facilities.
Enter Bobby Ross as head coach. Ross, who has national championships and Super Bowl appearances on his résumé, took the challenge. In 2004, his initial football season on the banks of the Hudson, Army won two games, but doubled its production from the previous two seasons.
Entering tomorrow's match against Navy (6-4) at Lincoln Financial Field, the Black Knights (4-6) have won four straight, their longest streak in nearly a decade. Reasons for Army's dramatic turnaround are not difficult to find.
"This begins with his presence," said Army defensive back Dhyan Tarver. "The man has a plethora of knowledge and we do what he says. His track record is out there and we all know the kind of success he had in the past."
In 1990, Ross led Georgia Tech to an 11-0-1 mark and a co-national championship with Colorado. Later, as head coach of San Diego, he took the 1994 Chargers to their only Super Bowl appearance. Combining his college and professional competition, Ross has picked up 181 wins in 26 coaching seasons.
Ross' approach to the Army program remains as vigorous and driven as any coaching environment he has faced. He emphasizes pride in the program and identifies players he coached to set the tone and direction.
"I like to point to (former Detroit running back) Barry Sanders and (former San Diego linebacker) Junior Seau as proud people," Ross said.
"Pride in what they accomplished on the football field and pride in handling themselves as men. That's the message I try to bring across, and looks like it's getting through. Pride is very important around here because, after all, this is all about the black, gray and gold."
Army colors aside, Ross wants to place events and purpose in perspective.
With the experience in Iraq ever-present, Ross talks about upcoming missions for all members of the academies. He likes to translate that commitment to his players.
"All of the participants (tomorrow) will eventually be on a mission," Ross added.
"In that regard, I tell our players that football also represents a mission. How they win and winning itself has a direct effect on their mission ahead and how responsibilities are handled in the future."
Just by the number of victories over the past two years, players have clearly bought into his program. The current four-game winning streak is the most by an Army team since 1996 and the streak is the longest coming into the Navy game since 1967.
"(Ross) knows what it takes to win," said Army running back Carlton Jones.
"He has really created a new attitude for the program. With that new attitude comes a new confidence and you can see that in the players. Plus, he shows us how to win, and that's something we did not know or understand before."
For his part, Ross is realistic about his effort here, its direction and future course.
"I'm not looking to get this program back to where it was in the 1940s," he said candidly.
"That was a different era of college football, and the game has changed. We have to recognize the recruiting challenges and how that impacts on our program.
"But, we are moving forward. There's a commitment now to try to get some of that glory back, and the players have done what we asked. We're definitely moving in the right direction."