By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Jacksonville State Gamecocks head football coach John Grass has stepped down. He had been leading the program since the 2014 season.
His departure was announced on Saturday following the team’s win over Abilene Christian Wildcats. He was 72-26 in eight seasons with the school.

“First, I’d like to thank Coach Grass for his service to Jacksonville State University, our Football program and to our student-athletes for the past nine years,” Athletics Director Greg Seitz said in a statement. “Since he was hired as our head coach in 2014, we’ve experienced new heights in FCS football, including a trip to the FCS Championship Game in 2015.”
He led the team for parts of eight seasons. Before being promoted to head coach, he spent the 2013 season as the team’s offensive coordinator under then-head coach Bill Clark.
Grass guided the team to six Ohio Valley Conference Championships.
“My time has come and gone here,” Grass told the media on Saturday night. “It’s been a great ride. It’s been unbelievable. You can’t put into words what has happened here. This will always be my home. We’ve raised our kids here for nine years. Me and my wife are both alumni. This place has done so much for me that I can’t ever repay it.
“As an era comes to an end, you look back and analyze it. There are so many special people that made what we’ve done here happen. God put so many special people in my life, and when we started it His hands have been on this program in so many ways. I like to win and hate to lose as much as anyone, but the lives that have been changed with what God has done for our program has been unbelievable. It’s been the best thing I’ve ever been a part of.”
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