Inside the Headset Presented by CoachComm
James Ross III, OLB/Defensive Ends – Houston
October 30, 2025
On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we’re joined by James Ross III, the Defensive Ends and Outside Linebackers Coach at the University of Houston.
Coach Ross opens up about his path from player to coach, sharing how his experiences at Michigan, Hope College, Cincinnati, and Tulane shaped his philosophy on leadership, family, and player development. Now at Houston, he reflects on the mentors who guided him, the importance of growth, and how he continues to balance his responsibilities on and off the field.
Ross also discusses his experience as part of the 2025 AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, offering advice for young coaches looking to grow their careers and make an impact in the game.
🎧 Listen or Watch the Full Episode
Catch the full conversation on Inside the Headset wherever you get your podcasts, or watch it on our YouTube channel.
🔗 Listen here: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset
🕒 Episode Timestamps
-
00:00 – Introduction
-
01:37 – When did you know you wanted to coach?
-
05:00 – Helping players through the end of their careers
-
06:05 – Joining Michigan as a GA
-
10:30 – Prioritizing family in coaching
-
14:45 – Transitioning from player to coach
-
20:00 – Coaching at Hope College
-
25:30 – Leading your own position room
-
28:50 – Landing at Cincinnati
-
34:25 – The importance of spousal buy-in
-
40:00 – Coaching players with NFL goals
-
49:30 – Navigating job transitions
-
55:20 – Lessons from early experiences
-
57:15 – Transitioning to Houston
-
1:01:05 – Reflections on the 35 Under 35 experience
-
1:03:00 – Conclusion
🐾 Connect with Coach Ross & Houston Football
-
Twitter: @CoachRoss___
-
Houston Football: @UHCougarFB
📢 About Inside the Headset
Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm is the official podcast of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Each week, we sit down with coaches from all levels of football to share their stories, lessons, and leadership insights.
Subscribe to stay up to date with weekly episodes featuring coaches who are shaping the game both on and off the field.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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James Ross III, OLB/Defensive Ends – Houston
On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we’re joined by James Ross III, the Defensive Ends and Outside Linebackers Coach at the University of Houston.
Coach Ross opens up about his path from player to coach, sharing how his experiences at Michigan, Hope College, Cincinnati, and Tulane shaped his philosophy on leadership, family, and player development. Now at Houston, he reflects on the mentors who guided him, the importance of growth, and how he continues to balance his responsibilities on and off the field.
Ross also discusses his experience as part of the 2025 AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, offering advice for young coaches looking to grow their careers and make an impact in the game.
🎧 Listen or Watch the Full Episode
Catch the full conversation on Inside the Headset wherever you get your podcasts, or watch it on our YouTube channel.
🔗 Listen here: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset
🕒 Episode Timestamps
-
00:00 – Introduction
-
01:37 – When did you know you wanted to coach?
-
05:00 – Helping players through the end of their careers
-
06:05 – Joining Michigan as a GA
-
10:30 – Prioritizing family in coaching
-
14:45 – Transitioning from player to coach
-
20:00 – Coaching at Hope College
-
25:30 – Leading your own position room
-
28:50 – Landing at Cincinnati
-
34:25 – The importance of spousal buy-in
-
40:00 – Coaching players with NFL goals
-
49:30 – Navigating job transitions
-
55:20 – Lessons from early experiences
-
57:15 – Transitioning to Houston
-
1:01:05 – Reflections on the 35 Under 35 experience
-
1:03:00 – Conclusion
🐾 Connect with Coach Ross & Houston Football
-
Twitter: @CoachRoss___
-
Houston Football: @UHCougarFB
📢 About Inside the Headset
Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm is the official podcast of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Each week, we sit down with coaches from all levels of football to share their stories, lessons, and leadership insights.
Subscribe to stay up to date with weekly episodes featuring coaches who are shaping the game both on and off the field.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
