Hope football promotes James Ross III to defensive coordinator

HOLLAND — For the first time since 2003, the Flying Dutchmen will have a new man calling the defense this fall.

On Monday Hope College announced that James Ross III has been promoted to defensive coordinator. after joining the staff last season to coach linebackers. He'll take the reins over from legendary DC Mike Ricketts, who guided the unit to six MIAA titles during two stints, which make up a total of 23 years, with the program.

Ross seemed like a logical successor to Ricketts from the outside looking in. But head coach Peter Stuursma wasn't going to just hand over the keys to the defense without doing any due diligence. But it didn't take long for him to realize Ross was the man for the job.

“I’m so excited about what James Ross is going to bring to the table as defensive coordinator,” Stuursma said. “As we were talking about this, I asked him to put a little presentation together for me. Twenty minutes into that, I knew where we wanted to go. James brings such energy, enthusiasm, and instant credibility with our players. Since April, to watch the relationship he has with our players, it is really a lot of fun and exciting for me."

More: Hope College defensive coordinator Mike Ricketts to retire after 23 seasons

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Ross, a former Michigan Wolverine, saw his linebacker corps help the Flying Dutchmen rank No. 1 in the MIAA in scoring defense at 14.5 points per game allowed and No. 2 in total defense (291.7 yards per game). He also helped guide senior linebacker Jeremiah Purnell, to Second Team All-MIAA honors.

The new DC played linebacker in Ann Arbor from 2012 to 2015, starting his final three seasons with Michigan. While the MIAA is different from the Big 10, his level of knowledge is clear even in a brief conversation with him. Ross is thrilled to have the opportunity to lead an entire defense at the college level for the first time in his young coaching career, especially considering what he's inheriting.

“This scheme was already really good; this defense was already really good. Coach Mike Ricketts was amazing to this program,” Ross said. “To follow someone like that is an honor. It means everything to me to put into a situation from a trust standpoint with Coach Stuursma.”

After a brief stint with the San Diego Chargers, he turned his eyes to coaching. He served as DC at Detroit Loyola High School for one season before becoming a graduate assistant for Jim Harbaugh from 2018 to 2020 while pursuing a master's degree. He worked directly with linebackers under Don Brown and saw four of his student-athletes make the leap to the NFL after leaving Michigan,

"James is the consummate football coach who is dedicated to mentoring and participating in the development of the young men he coaches and teaches,” Harbaugh said when Ross was hired as Hope’s linebackers coach. “He played and conducted himself at a high level as a student-athlete and later as an outstanding football coach at the University of Michigan.”

Ross was raised playing football at a high standard and will expect nothing less of his defense now that he's in control in Holland. He wants his group to play with an edge and a confidence in their demeanor.

But even more than that, awareness and football knowledge will be paramount to Ross 365 days a year, not just on Saturdays.

"First thing is high-energy, confidence and playing with some type of swagger,” Ross said “Bottom line is understanding what we’re doing from a schematic standpoint and having guys play as fast as possible — a total buy-in.”

Stuursma's promotion of Ross now means that there is a friendly rivalry at play for the men leading the offense and defense. Offensive coordinator Andrew Hawken played H-back for Michigan State between 2007 and 2010. He served as a member of the coaching staff during the Spartan's 2015 trip to the College Football Playoff.

The Flying Dutchmen will open up the 2022 campaign on September 3 against Aurora University at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium in Holland.

—Contact Assistant Sports Editor Will Kennedy at Will.Kennedy@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByWillKennedy and Facebook @Holland Sentinel Sports.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Hope football promotes James Ross III to defensive coordinator