John Grass (American football)
 | |
| Sport(s) | Football |
|---|---|
| Current position | |
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Jacksonville State |
| Conference | OVC |
| Record | 23-3 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born |
February 29, 1968 Ashville, Alabama |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1990–1992 | Ashville HS (AL) (OC) |
| 1993–1994 | Eufaula HS (AL) (DC) |
| 1995–1999 | Ashville HS (AL) |
| 2000–2001 | Hoover HS (AL) (OC) |
| 2002 | Albertville HS (AL) |
| 2003–2005 | Moody HS (AL) |
| 2006–2007 | Spain Park HS (AL) |
| 2008–2012 | Oxford HS (AL) |
| 2013 | Jacksonville State (AHC/OC) |
| 2014–present | Jacksonville State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall |
23-3 (college) 123–60 (high school)[1] |
John Grass (born February 29, 1968) is an American football coach, currently the head coach of the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks. He was born in Ashville, Alabama. Since he was born on February 29 (commonly known as a "leap year baby"), his date of birth is recognized as February 28.
College coaching career
A 1990 graduate of JSU, Grass joined Bill Clark's staff at JSU in 2013 after serving as a head coach at the high school level for over 17 years and compiling a 123-60 career record along the way.
His first season as coordinator JSU exceeded all expectations. His offensive unit was the most prolific in JSU history, breaking school records en route to helping the Gamecocks post an 11-4 record and advance to the Quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. JSU rolled over No. 16 Samford, 55-14, in the first round before a convincing 31-10 win at No. 6 MicNeese State in the second round.
After a loss at No. 3 Eastern Washington in the Quarterfinals, the Gamecocks were ranked No. 10 in The Sports Network FCS Top 25, the highest in the program's Division I history, while a No. 12 ranking in the FCS Coaches Poll tied the previous high set in 2010. The Gamecocks finished the year with an 11-4 record, the most wins in the program's Division I history and tying the 1977 team for the fourth-most wins in a season in school history.
Grass' offense was record breaking in every phase and highlighted a season that saw the Gamecocks set a total of 49 school records, 13 Ohio Valley Conference records and three NCAA records.
A quick-strike attack that scored 24 times on drives of less than one minute, the Gamecock offense amassed 6,637 yards of total offense, 1,755 yards more than any team in school history, and racked up 528 points, 107 more than the previous record set in 1991. JSU's 65 touchdowns were a new school record, while its school record 48 rushing touchdowns also broke the OVC mark.
Leading the rushing attack was junior All-American DaMarcus James. Also a first team All-OVC selection, James ran for a school record 1,477 yards and was second nationally with 29 rushing touchdowns to break the JSU and OVC records in that category. James' 174 points scored also broke the previous JSU and OVC records.
The ground game wasn't the only thing that guided the Gamecocks in 2013. Despite having to start three different starting quarterbacks because of injuries during the season, Grass' offense threw for a school record 3,033 yards. Quarterback Eli Jenkins earned Freshman All-America honors after throwing for 887 yards and running for 953 more, while junior Max Shortell threw for 1,608 yards to earn Second Team All-OVC recognition.
College Head Coach
Grass was named head coach of the JSU Gamecocks in 2014 after Bill Clark left to fill a coaching vacancy at UAB. During the regular season, the Gamecocks went 10-1 and received the #3 seed in FCS Football Tournament. They also won the Ohio Valley Conference outright for the first time.
Head coaching record
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | TSN# | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State Gamecocks (Ohio Valley Conference) (2014–present) | |||||||||
| 2014 | Jacksonville State | 10–2 | 8–0 | 1st | L FCS Playoffs Second Round | 9 | |||
| 2015 | Jacksonville State | 13-1 | 8–0 | 1st | FCS Playoffs | ||||
| Jacksonville State: | 23-3 | 16–0 | |||||||
| Total: | 23-3 | ||||||||
High school coaching career
Prior to coming to JSU in 2013, Grass was head coach at Oxford High School from 2008–2012, where he posted five straight winning seasons and a 41-16 record. He helped the Yellow Jackets reach the playoffs four out of the five seasons he was there, including the school's first-ever appearance in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A State semi-finals in 2011.
While serving as head coach at Spain Park High School from 2006–2007, Grass was named the 2007 AHSAA Class 6A Coach of the Year after leading his team to the state championship game. Grass led his team against Clark's Prattville squad in that Class 6A State Championship as Prattville claimed a 14-0 win.
Grass coached at Moody High School from 2003–2005, where he took over a team that had won six games in the previous six years before he took control. In 2004, he led his team to the 2004 Class 4A quarterfinals for the first time in school history.
From 2002-2003, Grass was head coach at Albertville High School, a school that had won five games in the three years before he took over, and led them to the 2002 Class 5A quarterfinals. While at Albertville, Grass was named the 2002 Class 5A Coach of the Year.
Grass spent two seasons as the Offensive Coordinator for Hoover High School from 2000-2001. He ran an offense that posted an impressive 28-2 record during his two seasons, including the 2000 Class 6A State Championship and an appearance in the State Championship again in 2001.
Grass's first head coaching job came at Ashville High School, where he coached from 1995-1999. He guided his team to back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time in school history in 1998 and 1999, including the schools first-ever 10-0 regular season record in 1999.
Grass also served as an assistant coach at Eufaula High School and Ashville High School. While at Eufaula High School from 1993–1994, he served as Defensive Coordinator and Strength and Conditioning Coach while helping the school reach the 5A quarterfinals in 1993.
He began his coaching career at Ashville High School from 1990–1992, where he served as Offensive Coordinator and Strength and Conditioning Coach. While at Ashville, he helped the school reach the state semifinals for the first time in school history.[2]
Personal life
Grass graduated from Jacksonville State in 1990 with a degree in physical education. He received a Masters of Physical Education from JSU in 1997 and an Ed.S. in Administration in 2010 from Lincoln Memorial University.
Grass married his wife, Jada (née Arnold) in 1995. They have three children: Jud, Jules, and Jace Cannon.[2]
References
- ↑ "Alabama High School Football Head Coaches: John Grass". Alabama High School Football Historical Society. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
- 1 2 http://jsugamecocksports.com/staff.aspx?staff=122
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