Horns Home: Jim Thorpe Award Winner Aaron Ross Returns to Texas as Assistant Coach
AUSTIN, TX – In a move that has sent a wave of nostalgic pride and excitement through the Longhorn faithful, the University of Texas has announced the return of one of its most beloved gridiron legends. Aaron Ross, the dynamic defensive back and winner of the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award, has rejoined the Texas football program as an assistant coach. The news has been met with widespread celebration across the Austin community, with fans seeing the hire as a powerful signal of the program’s commitment to its legacy and its championship-winning roots.
Ross, a key member of the 2005 National Championship team and the 2006 Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation’s top defensive back, brings with him a championship pedigree that is both rare and invaluable. After a successful NFL career that included two Super Bowl rings with the New York Giants, Ross has spent the last several years working with young athletes and staying connected to the game at various levels. His return to the Forty Acres, where he became a household name, is a homecoming that feels both long overdue and perfectly timed.
“Bringing Aaron Ross back to Texas is a tremendous win for our program, our players, and our entire community,” said a statement attributed to Head Coach Steve Sarkisian. “Aaron embodies everything we want in a Longhorn. He’s a champion, a leader, and a man who understands what it takes to perform at the highest level. His experience as a player who ascended from our program to win a national title and two Super Bowls is an incredible resource for our young men. He doesn’t just represent our history; he is a living, breathing testament to what’s possible here.”
Ross will assume a role on the defensive coaching staff, focusing specifically on the cornerbacks. His appointment is designed to provide an immediate and tangible link between the current defensive backfield and the “DBU” legacy that was built in the early 2000s. Known for his keen instincts, fluid athleticism, and ball-hawking ability, Ross is expected to impart not only technical skills but also the mental toughness required to succeed in high-pressure situations.
For a player who was a cornerstone of a national championship defense, the move back to coaching at his alma mater is a deeply personal one. In a statement to the media, Ross reflected on the significance of his return.
“This place gave me everything,” Ross said. “It gave me a family, it gave me a championship, and it gave me the foundation for my professional career. Coming back here, it feels like I’m coming home. There’s a certain standard of play for a defensive back at the University of Texas, and I want to help these guys not only meet that standard but exceed it. The goal is simple: win championships and continue the tradition of excellence.”
The hiring has been met with particular enthusiasm from the student-athletes. For many of the young defensive backs, Ross is a figure they’ve seen in highlight reels and heard about from coaches. Now, they will get to work with him daily. A young, rising star in the Longhorns secondary expressed his excitement.
“I grew up watching Aaron Ross highlights on YouTube, so this is surreal,” the player said. “His name is on the wall here, and now he’s in our meeting rooms. He’s won at every level. That’s a voice you listen to. We’re all fired up to learn from a guy who’s done exactly what we’re all trying to do.”
The impact of this hire extends beyond the field. Ross is a beloved figure in the Texas community, known for his charismatic personality and his connection to the fans. His return provides a powerful boost to the program’s recruiting efforts, offering prospective players a direct link to a former Longhorn who achieved greatness both in college and the NFL. It allows the coaching staff to sell more than just a brand; it allows them to sell a tangible, successful path.
Aaron Ross was a part of a golden era for Texas football, an era defined by hard-nosed defense, electrifying plays, and an unshakeable belief in the program’s greatness. His Jim Thorpe Award win in 2006, coming on the heels of Michael Huff’s win the year before, solidified Texas as a factory for elite defensive backs. Now, as the Longhorns navigate the new landscape of college football and prepare for the challenges of the future, they are bringing back a piece of that winning formula.
In an age where college football is often dominated by transactional relationships and constant coaching turnover, Ross’s return is a welcome narrative of loyalty and passion. It’s a story that resonates deeply with the spirit of the Texas Longhorns—a story of a champion returning home to help the next generation reach the pinnacle of the sport. His presence on the sidelines is more than a coaching hire; it’s a statement. The Longhorns are not just building a team for the future; they are building it on the foundation of their greatest heroes. And for the community in Austin, that is music to their ears.
