Henderson State University Athletics

Charles (Chuck) Ross enters his second season as the Reddies’ corners coach in 2026, while also assuming defensive coordinator duties.

Ross led a unit that gave up the third-fewest receiving yards (1,851), Touchdowns (12) and tied for the third-most interceptions (12) in the GAC. Under his guidance, the Reddies surrendered the lowest completion percentage in the Great American Conference (50%), while surrendering 168.3 passing yards per game and ranked No. 14 nationally in pass efficiency defense (108.6). Three Henderson corners earned All-GAC recognition in Ross's first season – Second Teamers Paul Manning and De'vonta Roberts and Third Team selection Kolbi Crawford.

Before joining Henderson State, Ross was a defensive graduate assistant and nickels coach at New Mexico State. While coaching for the Aggies, he mentored Conference USA All-Freshman Team nickel Tayden Barnes. He was a defensive graduate assistant at Sam Houston State in 2023.

Ross had previously served as an assistant coach, corner backs coach, and defensive passing game coordinator at Bemidji State University (BSU). In 2022, he worked with a Beaver defense that won an NSIC title while finishing top 10 in the nation in third-down defense (an area that Ross specialized in). BSU also ranked second in its conference in points allowed per game (17.9).

Prior to his time at Bemidji State, Chuck coached defensive backs as a graduate assistant at Division I FBS member Central Michigan (CMU). In his final season with the Chippewas, the team finished third in the MAC with 23.9 points and 363 total yards allowed per game. CMU would go on to win the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl against Washington State by a score of 24-21.

Ross earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Central Michigan University in 2021.