Ryan Ross is returning to Lincoln County. Ross, an assistantcoach at Southwest Mississippi Community College, has been namedhead football coach at Loyd Star High School.

For Ross, 33, his hiring was approved at a Monday night meetingof the Lincoln County School Board.

“I appreciate the folks at Loyd Star thinking of me and givingme the opportunity to lead those young men,” said Ross. “They’vebeen very encouraging. I’ve received a lot of phone callsalready.”

Ross replaces Josh Thibodeaux who served two years as headcoach. Thibodeaux will remain on staff as an assistant coach andteacher.

Loyd Star principal Wayne Rogers and athletic director BillyVaughn said they are excited about the opportunity to work withRoss. “Coach Ross brings a wealth of knowledge, experience andpassion for the game to Loyd Star,” said Rogers.

“He’s no newcomer to Loyd Star and the Lincoln County area.”

Ross is a 1992 Brookhaven High School graduate. He playedquarterback in high school for Coach Don Coleman and at Co-Lin,playing for Coach Randall Bradberry.

He has served as offensive coordinator and assistant head coachfour years at Southwest.

“I’m excited about coaching at Loyd Star,” said Ross. “It’s anew challenge for me. It’s also a great move for me and myfamily.”

His wife, the former Mary Louise Taylor of Cleveland, teachesLPN nursing at Southwest. They have two sons, Hogan, age 9; andStone, age 5. They are members of the Baptist faith. Ross grew upin Macedonia Baptist Church.

“My two boys will be going to school at the same place I’ll beworking,” Ross continued. “I feel good about that.”

Loyd Star, a Division 6-2A member, didn’t win a division gamelast season and finished 2-8.

Ross said his contract begins this summer. He will launch anoffseason weightlifting program this week and plans to lead theHornets through spring practice. He met with the team for the firsttime this afternoon

“I have a system but we will work towards the best interest ofthe players,” said Ross. “Your system has to accommodate theplayers and athletes that you have to work with. I want our playersto play hard and have lot of enthusiasm.”

Ross received his Bachelor of Science degree in education fromDelta State University and later completed his Masters degree insecondary education from Alcorn State University.

He began his coaching career in the early 1990s at BrookhavenAcademy. He also coached at Brookhaven, McComb, Co-Lin andMississippi Delta Community College.