Bobby Ross

Bobby Ross is still digesting the news that Maryland is moving to the Big Ten. Like many associated with the program when the football team was one of the best in the ACC, he is saddened by the move. Like many who follow college football, he is not surprised. “I just see it as part of the collegiate culture. The Big Ten wants that market for TV and Maryland wants more money or else they wouldn't be making that move,” Ross said from his home outside Richmond, Va., where he is retired.

Nine months before Bobby Ross came out of retirement to coach football at Army in December 2003, the United States began its military involvement in Iraq. As he dug into his new job at West Point, Ross was thinking more about how to rebuild a team that had lost all its games the previous season than the escalating casualties of war. Soon enough, Ross learned the success of Army football and whether the United States was actively engaged in war were often intertwined. Though it had not happened during the two World Wars -- the Cadets won their three national championships at the end of and immediately after World War II -- Army's football struggles in the early 1970s were often tied to the unpopularity of and protests against the Vietnam War. When Ross began to recruit in the winter and spring of 2004, the conversations he had with parents of prospective players often turned toward what was happening in Iraq.

What's wrong with Lou Holtz? Everyone in the world wants to be No. 1 except Lou. A school breaks a 63-game losing streak, and you watch: The players go rushing off the field with an index finger pointed skyward. We're No. 1, they want to say. We're No. 16, whispers Holtz.This refusal to be No. 1 smacks of un-Americanism.Holtz coaches Notre Dame, which, according to the laws of nature as we understand them, is supposed to be No. 1. People assume it, the way they assume water will always go down the drain clockwise.

Bobby Ross is still digesting the news that Maryland is moving to the Big Ten. Like many associated with the program when the football team was one of the best in the ACC, he is saddened by the move. Like many who follow college football, he is not surprised. “I just see it as part of the collegiate culture. The Big Ten wants that market for TV and Maryland wants more money or else they wouldn't be making that move,” Ross said from his home outside Richmond, Va., where he is retired.

WEST POINT, N.Y. - A middle-aged man approached Bobby Ross after a recent practice, asking the first-year Army coach to sign his football and offering words of thanks for giving him and others some hope for the future. "It's been an enjoyable season," the man told Ross. "I don't know how much fun 2-8 can be," Ross answered with a smile. It could well be 2-9 after tomorrow's game against 8-2 Navy at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, but many of the goals Ross set when he came out of retirement last December have been met by the Black Knights this season.

Bobby Ross, ChargersThe former Maryland coach was named Chargers coach in 1992. He leads San Diego to the Super Bowl for the first time after defeating Pittsburgh for the AFC title.... ... ... ... ... ... W ... L ... T ... Pct.Regular season .. .. .. 30 .. 18 .. 0 ... .625Postseason ... .. .. .. 3 ... 1 ... 0 ... .750Career ... ... .. .. .. 33 .. 19 .. 0 ... .635

Good morning --Bobby Ross -- Be glad you got away from the Lions. No coach there is ever riding a four-game winning streak. Question of the day NEXT QUESTION Do you expect the Orioles to make any moves during the winter meetings? Selected responses to today's question will be printed Monday on The Kickoff page. Please e-mail your answer (about 25 words) to sports@baltsun.com by 3 p.m. tomorrow. Include your name, address and a daytime telephone number for verification purposes.

WESTDivision predictionThe Oakland Raiders play host to the San Diego Chargers tomorrow in a game that could go a long way in determining whether a return to Oakland can lift the Raiders over the Chargers. Denver and Kansas City figure to battle for third, and Seattle again looks like the cellar dweller.1. San Diego Chargers1994 record: Division champions with an 11-5 record, lost Super Bowl.Coach: Bobby Ross (33-20)Key additions: t S Shaun Gayle, S Bo Orlando and CB Terrance Shaw.Key losses: S Stanley Richard, RG Eric Bieniemy and S Darren Carrington (LB David Griggs died in an auto accident)

PHILADELPHIA -- During his three seasons at West Point, Army coach Bobby Ross has observed signs of progress in a program that was badly in need of recovery when he arrived. The Black Knights train in an upgraded weight room that opened several years ago, and Ross said numerous players have improved their strength as a result. Soon, the school will unveil a $16 million indoor training facility that should further enhance the team's offseason training. The four victories by Army last year marked the most the team has produced since it went 4-7 in 1997.

MIAMI -- Pop quiz. One question, multiple choice. Eyes straight ahead. No cheating.The San Diego Chargers are in the NFL playoffs because:A) 248-pound running back Marion Butts chews clocks like he chews meals, and linebacker Junior Seau plays his game like he says his name -- Say Ow!B) Defensive coordinator Bill Arnsparger hauled himself out of coaching retirement and reminded us that the genius cap still fits.C) Personnel wizard Bobby Beathard proved that his eye for talent sees 20/20 in San Diego just like it did in Washington, D.C.D)

PHILADELPHIA -- During his three seasons at West Point, Army coach Bobby Ross has observed signs of progress in a program that was badly in need of recovery when he arrived. The Black Knights train in an upgraded weight room that opened several years ago, and Ross said numerous players have improved their strength as a result. Soon, the school will unveil a $16 million indoor training facility that should further enhance the team's offseason training. The four victories by Army last year marked the most the team has produced since it went 4-7 in 1997.

Good morning --Bobby Ross -- Be glad you got away from the Lions. No coach there is ever riding a four-game winning streak. Question of the day NEXT QUESTION Do you expect the Orioles to make any moves during the winter meetings? Selected responses to today's question will be printed Monday on The Kickoff page. Please e-mail your answer (about 25 words) to sports@baltsun.com by 3 p.m. tomorrow. Include your name, address and a daytime telephone number for verification purposes.

WEST POINT, N.Y. - A middle-aged man approached Bobby Ross after a recent practice, asking the first-year Army coach to sign his football and offering words of thanks for giving him and others some hope for the future. "It's been an enjoyable season," the man told Ross. "I don't know how much fun 2-8 can be," Ross answered with a smile. It could well be 2-9 after tomorrow's game against 8-2 Navy at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, but many of the goals Ross set when he came out of retirement last December have been met by the Black Knights this season.

In its search for a football coach, Maryland has sought permission to speak with Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen, a player for the Terps in the late 1960s and an assistant coach during the early 1980s. Maryland athletic director Debbie Yow, who fired Ron Vanderlinden on Sunday and named a search committee on Monday, would not comment on the process yesterday. But Georgia Tech athletic director David Braine confirmed Maryland's request, saying that senior associate athletic director Rob Mullens called about the longtime assistant on Sunday night.

Chicago Bears Last season: 6-10, fifth. Coach: Dick Jauron (6-10), second season with Bears. Strength of schedule: tie for 11th. Starting quarterback: Cade McNown (2-5). Best move: Offensive coordinator Gary Crowton opened up an attack that had become ridiculously conservative, and with the emergence of McNown and WR Marcus Robinson, Bears have become a quick-strike group. Missing piece: Third-year RB Curtis Enis is not a good fit, especially for this offense. He is injury-prone, doesn't hit holes quickly enough, and the Bears are stuck with an expensive plodder they don't need.

During the NFL draft last month, there was a lot of speculation that an NFC team might have trouble getting its star running back into camp. The surprise is that the running back is not Ricky Williams, but Barry Sanders. While Williams became the second first-rounder to sign Friday, Sanders is at the center of a bizarre controversy that has left his future somewhat unclear. What is strange about the situation is that Sanders isn't doing the talking. His father is. In a series of interviews, Sanders' father, William, has trashed the Detroit Lions and coach Bobby Ross.

Even though Maryland won only two football games last year (over Virginia and Wake Forest), there is reason to believe the Terps will soon scale the heights.At least that's the feeling of former Maryland star Azizuddin Abdur-Ra'oof, who has seen his alma mater in the best of times and the worst of times.Ziz, as he is known to all, holds the school record for most consecutive games catching a pass (25 from 1984 to 1986). He played on two Atlantic Coast Conference championship teams and went to two bowls under coach Bobby Ross.

Like father, like daughter.No, that's not a slip, but rather a reference to Teresa Ross, the Annapolis High girls basketball coach.Ross, the 27-year-old daughter of well-known football coach BobbyRoss, is making her own mark as a successful coach, and one who has the ability to transform a loser into a winner.Bobby turned around the fortunes at The Citadel, the University of Maryland and GeorgiaTech before recently taking the headcoaching position with the San Diego Chargers. Again, he's expected to bring a program back from the dead.

Bobby Ross said last week that he still thinks about what might have been at the University of Maryland in the late 1980s.The memories flow for Ross, even though he has traveled a lot of miles since leaving the Terps 11 years ago -- winning a national collegiate title, coaching in a Super Bowl and now bringing the Detroit Lions to Jack Kent Cooke Stadium to meet the Washington Redskins today."

WESTDivision predictionThe Oakland Raiders play host to the San Diego Chargers tomorrow in a game that could go a long way in determining whether a return to Oakland can lift the Raiders over the Chargers. Denver and Kansas City figure to battle for third, and Seattle again looks like the cellar dweller.1. San Diego Chargers1994 record: Division champions with an 11-5 record, lost Super Bowl.Coach: Bobby Ross (33-20)Key additions: t S Shaun Gayle, S Bo Orlando and CB Terrance Shaw.Key losses: S Stanley Richard, RG Eric Bieniemy and S Darren Carrington (LB David Griggs died in an auto accident)