Southwestern University

Tom Ross is one of the original members of the Southwestern football coaching staff, joining the program in March 2012.

In his time at Southwestern, Ross has taken on many roles. He began as the Pirates’ defensive coordinator and maintained that position through the 2015 season. Ross switched to co-offensive coordinator in 2016, helping engineer the SCAC’s top offense, leading the conference in scoring and rushing while finishing second in passing, with wide receiver Mat Gillen winning SCAC Offensive Player of the Year and the Pirates winning the conference championship. 

The Pirates maintained a steady offense even as they moved from the SCAC to the ASC, led by a strong running game buoyed by Ross’s work with the offensive line. 

In 2018, Ross helped guide the Pirates past the 30-point mark five times, leading the ASC in time of possession and finishing third in rushing offense and passing efficiency. Quarterback Fred Hover and tight end AJ Daniels earned First Team All-ASC selections with offensive lineman James Smat earning second-team All-ASC honors. The 2019 and 2021 season saw slot-backs David Brandenburg and Austin Castilleja earn Second Team All-ASC awards and in 2022, wide receiver JoJo Wilson was named ASC freshman of the year along with four other offensive starters named All-ASC selections. In 2023, H-Back Sam Johnson earned D3Football.com All-Region honors and the Pirates rushing attack ranked third in the SAA in total yards and touchdowns with 1,456 and 18 respectivley. 

Prior to Southwestern Coach Ross was the Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Hanover College. Ross also spent time overseason as the head coach for the Stuttgart Scorpions of the German Football League for two seasons, posting a 20–6–1 record and leading the division in total offense, scoring offense, rushing, total defense, and scoring defense. Ross was inducted into the team’s hall of fame in 2016. 

His other collegiate coaching experience includes 15 years at Augsburg College, serving stints as defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, and offensive coordinator. He also spent time at Carleton College and St. Olaf College. 

Ross received his bachelor’s degree from Augsburg College in 1991 and his master’s degree from Concordia University–Irvine.