On Monday, North Carolina A&T Director of Athletics Earl M. Hilton III announced the appointment of Monté Ross as the new head men’s basketball coach.
Ross will become the 14th head coach in the history of the A&T men’s basketball program.
“This is an exciting time in North Carolina A&T Athletics, and coach Ross adds to that excitement,” said Hilton. “Coach Ross brings a decade of head coaching experience in the CAA, where he was tasked with building a program. He had some outstanding seasons for the Delaware men’s basketball program, and we think that translates well for us at North Carolina A&T as we strive to win championships in the CAA. We hired the best person to lead and mentor our young men on and off the court.”
Ross is a 1992 graduate of Winston-Salem State University and played for legendary head coach Clarence “Big House” Gaines from 1988-92.
The WSSU alum spent 13 seasons as an assistant coach at various Division I programs before becoming the Delaware Blue Hens’ coach in 2006. He coached the Blue Hens for 10 seasons, leading them to an 18-14 record overall and a 12-6 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in his sixth season.
The Blue Hens appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) before going 19-14 the following season, finishing second in the CAA with a 13-5 mark. He followed the second-place finish with one of the best seasons in Blue Hens program history. They posted a 25-10 record, winning the CAA regular-season title with a 14-2 record and the tournament championship. Ross posted 132 wins at Delaware, the second most in program history.
Ross has earned many accolades during his coaching career, including the CAA Coach of the Year, the Clarence “Big House” Gaines Division I Coach of the Year award, and the National Association of Basketball Coaches UPS District 10 Coach of the Year award.
A native of Philadelphia, Pa., Ross has spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach with the Temple Owls.
“I want to thank Chancellor (Harold L. Martin) and athletics director Earl Hilton for the tremendous opportunity to join the North Carolina A&T family,” Ross said in a statement. “North Carolina A&T has a very enthusiastic fan and alumni base, and they love basketball. The excitement and passion for the men’s basketball program will be matched by our passion for building a first-class program where student-athletes believe in doing things the right way and to the best of their ability.”
A&T will hold an introductory press conference for Ross at 1 p.m., Thursday, April 13, at Deese Ballroom inside the A&T Student Center.
