Louisville boys and girls basketball coach Kenyon Ross announced his resignation from both positions last Thursday. Ross is headed to Northwest Rankin, where he’ll serve as the new girls head basketball coach for the 2019-20 season.
Ross compiled a 54-7 record over the last two seasons as coach of the Lady Wildcats, guiding the team to the MHSAA Class 4A state championship last month. In four years as head coach of the boys program, Ross accumulated a 57-52 record.
His teams appeared in the MHSAA Class 4A postseason in each of his four years at the school.
“It’s had its ups and downs, but at the end of the day, as a basketball coach, you’re going to have that when you’re trying to restore a program to glory, and that’s what I was brought in to do, to get it back to the glory days,” Ross said. “It had its ups and downs, but I can’t complain. I met some kids and met some people who were good to me, and had some kids who worked hard for me.”
The Louisville Lady Wildcats went 27-4 overall and 8-0 in Region 4-4A play en route to winning the region title and the Class 4A state title with their 35-31 over Ripley. Ross assumed girls head coaching duties two seasons ago.
Ross guided the boys' program to a 17-11 overall record last season and went 3-5 in Region 4-4A contests. The Wildcats defeated Leake Central to win the Region tournament and reached the third round of the postseason.
Ross met with his players last Thursday to inform them of his resignation.
“(I told) them not to give up and that they can still do it,” Ross said. “They had the challenge the whole time, they just needed someone to bring it out of them. I was just the right person to bring it out of them. Even though I’m leaving, that doesn’t mean that they can’t play. It was them doing it, it was just me guiding them to do it.”
Ross inherits a Northwest Rankin Lady Cougars program that went 9-18 last year. Northwest Rankin, which competes in the MHSAA's Class 6A classification, reached the second round of the state tournament. The Lady Cougars are just two years removed from a 20-9 season. Ross said he’s eager to coach at MHSAA’s highest level.
“Just the opportunity of seeing what you can do on a higher level in basketball,” Ross said. “We’ll be playing on the highest level in Mississippi, and it’s just a good opportunity to see your coaching abilities against some of the best in the state.”
Northwest Rankin marks Ross’ sixth head coaching position, and he’s won three state titles throughout his career. In addition to Louisville, he’s led the Durant boys (2011) and the McAdams girls (2009) to state championships.
Ross shared a parting message to the Louisville community.
“I appreciate everyone for coming out and supporting the team, and I thank them for welcoming me into their community,” Ross said.
