Gross to step aside as Jackson football coach

Jackson football coach Carl Gross spoke to his players at practice during the 2007 season. The Indians went 11-1 and reached the Class 5 semifinals. (Aaron Eisenhauer) [Click to enlarge]

Jackson football coach Carl Gross submitted a letter of resignation from his positions as football coach, assistant track and field coach and junior high school science teacher.

The letter from Gross, who has led the Indians football team for 19 years, was given to the school board, but has not yet been accepted, Jackson assistant superintendent James Welker confirmed Friday.

Gross did not return phone messages left for him Friday.

"He has retired from all those," Welker said about the three positions Gross held. "The letter of retirement or resignation or whatever you want to call it, still has to be approved by the board."

Welker said he believes there will be a board retreat Feb. 2, but he does not know if the board will accept Gross' resignation at that time.

"I'm not sure that's when they will consider it or if it will be the next regular scheduled meeting, which I believe is the second Tuesday in February," Welker said.

Welker said he would not comment more than confirming Gross' desire to leave the program and school.

Gross posted a 137-69 record in his 19 seasons at the helm of the football team.

He won eight district titles with the Indians, in 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2007.

This past fall, Gross led the Indians to a district title, a SEMO North Conference title and a perfect regular season (10-0), including district wins over strong Class 5 teams Eureka and Parkway West. Both those schools had earned playoff appearances in the past two years.

Gross then led Jackson to a 24-7 win over McCluer North in the sectional round of the playoffs.

The Indians' season ended the next week with a 25-14 loss to Waynesville in the Class 5 state semifinals. Waynesville went on to win the Class 5 championship.

Gross was named the SEMO North Conference coach of the year for 2007. He was also the Class 4-5 all-region coach of the year for 2007.

Gross, a 1971 Central graduate, played college football at Southeast Missouri State in the 1970s and has been known for focusing his Indians offenses around the running game, posted six winning seasons and two losing seasons this decade.

The Jackson football team will lose its entire 2007 offensive line to graduation, including first-team all-state guard Brian Hill and tight end Antonio Garritano, who verbally committed to play football at Southeast Missouri State next year.

However, the Indians will return five defensive starters and many of their skill players, including quarterback Marcus Harris and Southeast Missourian Player of the Year and first team all-state running back Adam Zweigart, who carried the ball 215 times for 1,751 yards.