Bio

Patrick Ross was hired as the Head Football coach at Graceland University on December 23, 2022.

The 2024 season will be his 18th season as a collegiate head football coach. Previously, he spent 15 seasons as the head football coach at Lindenwood University, and prior to that two seasons as head football coach at Ottawa University (KS).

In his first two seasons at Graceland:
• Broke the teams 31 game losing streak in the second game of the season against Evangel University with a final score of 46-35
• Improved the Yellow Jacket offense from 190 YPG to 415.8 YPG
• Improved scoring from 8 PPG to 28 PPG
• Directed the team to the #2 Pass offense in the country
• Directed team to #10 in the country in Total Offense.
• Led the team to their first winning season since 2007.
• Led Graceland University to a top ranking when they were ranked 18th in the NAIA Top 25.
• First win against a tanked opponent in 16 years. By beating 7th ranked Benedictine

Ross owns a career coaching record of 118-68. His teams have appeared in the NAIA Football Championship Series six times, and twice he has earned NAIA National Coach of the Year honors. In his first 12 years at Lindenwood, he compiled a record of 90-49, won three HAAC championships, advanced to the NAIA national playoffs five times, including a trip to the national championship game in 2009. Ross was instrumental in transitioning Lindenwood University from NAIA to NCAA division 2 (later moved to FCS). He led the team to 8 wins in his first year joining the powerful MIAA, which earned them a birth into the 2013 NCAA Division II Mineral Water Bowl. He became the all-time leader in wins at Lindenwood in 2007, and his .650 winning percentage shatters the previous best mark for the program. Ross remains the winningest head football coach in program history for the Lindenwood football program. He has also been recognized as the Schutt Sports National Coach of the Year.

Prior to Lindenwood, Ross was the head coach at Ottawa (Kan.) for two seasons. He posted a record of 14-7 there, winning the 2003 KCAC title and advancing to the national playoffs. Prior to his stint at Ottawa, Ross served as the defensive coordinator for three years and an assistant for one at Kansas Wesleyan. In his first two seasons at Graceland, he led the team to their first winning season since 2007. In his first season, the Yellowjackets broke the teams 31 game losing streak in the second game against Evangel University with a final score of 46-35. Ross ended his first season with a 4-7 record.

In his second season, the Graceland Yellowjackets came out hot. The team ended up beating Benedictine College 37-35, which led to Graceland University being ranked 18th in the NAIA Top 25. This was the teams first time making the NAIA Top 25 since 2016. Ross and his team ended the 2023 season with a winning record of 6-5.

Ross has had sixteen of his players sign NFL contracts and numerous others have signed contracts with other professional leagues.

Ross and his wife, Stacey, have three kids, Peyton, Caden, and Shaelene.

07/09/2024