Samford University Athletics

Ross Newton enters his 14th season as an assistant coach at Samford. Newton is in his ninth season coaching the linebackers after working with the defensive line for his first five years on the staff. Newton is also in his ninth season as Samford’s director of recruiting.
        
During his time at Samford, Newton-coached players have posted some impressive achievements. During the 2018 season Aaron Harris ranked fifth in the Southern Conference in tackles with 94. In 2017, All-American linebacker Shaheed Salmon ranked third in the league in tackles with 109.

In 2016, under Newton’s tutelage, Shaheed Salmon ranked second on the team and ninth in the Southern Conference in tackles with 93, and he was named first team All-SoCon by the league’s coaches, and second team by the media.

In 2014, Justin Cooper led the team and ranked fourth in the Southern Conference with 93 tackles, including 73 solo stops.    
        
In 2013, under Newton’s guidance, senior linebacker Justin Shade was named the Southern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year.
        
In 2011 and 2012 Newton coached a group of experienced linebackers that was one of the strengths of the Bulldogs’ defense. 
        
Under Newton’s tutelage, the Samford defensive line saw great improvement in his five seasons with the group. In 2010, defensive linemen Alex Davis and John Michael Clay were both named to the All-Conference teams for the Southern Conference.
        
In 2009, Samford’s defense ranked in the top 20 in the nation in total defense, scoring defense, sacks and tackles for a loss. Also, Clay was named second-team All-Conference by both the league coaches and media at the conclusion of the season.

In 2008, defensive lineman Patrick Hatcher was named to the Southern Conference Media Association’s All-Conference team.
    
Overall the Samford defense led the Southern Conference in scoring
defense, total defense and rushing defense in 2008.
    
Newton came to Samford in 2006 after spending the previous season as a graduate assistant coach for defense at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
    
Newton is no stranger to the Samford football program. He was a member of the Samford football team from 2000 to 2003. As a Bulldog, he registered 143 tackles and eight sacks. He was selected a team captain in his senior year in 2003.
    
As a senior, Newton also won the Kenny Morgan Leadership Award.
Newton, a native of Homewood, Ala., played high school football for his
father, Bob Newton, at Homewood High School.
    
Newton graduated from Samford in 2004 with a B.A. in history with a minor in political science. He has worked toward a master’s degree in education at UAB. Newton is married to the former Allison Lyn Swartz, a fellow Samford graduate. The couple has three sons, Thomas, William and Patrick.