Robin Ross back with Oregon State

ROBIN ROSS, who was the Beavers' linebackers coach in 2005 before assuming the top job at Western Washington, has returned to Oregon State as a graduate assistant coach in charge of the tight ends. His coaching resume includes stints at three Pac-10 schools and in the NFL.

Ross will coach the Beaver tight ends after spending the past three seasons as the head coach at WWU. Western eliminate the football program after the season.

In Ross' previous stint as linebackers coach under Riley at OSU in 2005, he mentored Pac-10 first team picks Keith Ellison and Trent Bray. Derrick Doggett also gained second team honors on special teams. The Beavers that season finished first in the conference for rush defense, allowing 108 yards per game.

At WWU, Ross rebuilt the Vikings and in the team’s final season of play, led Western to postseason for the first time since 1999, defeating the Colorado School of Mines in the Dixie Rotary Bowl.

“I’m very excited to have Coach Ross back at Oregon State,” Riley said. “He did an outstanding job for our program before and he adds a lot of experience to our current coaching staff.”

“I’m ecstatic about returning to Oregon State,” Ross said. “I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to rejoin Coach Riley’s staff and be a part of one of the premier programs in the nation.”

Ross, a 1977 graduate of Washington State University, began his coaching career the same year at Long Beach State. He remained at LBSU through 1983 and then accepted the defensive coordinator position at the University of Cincinnati where he had a two-year stint beginning in 1984. He also has been the defensive coordinator at Fresno State (1996), Western Washington (1994-95) and Iowa State (1987-93).

Other coaching stops include the Oakland Raiders (1999-2000), Oregon (1997-98) and Washington State (1986). The Raiders won the 2000 AFC West title and he would go on to coach the linebackers in the Pro Bowl.

Ross' playing career began at Rio Hondo Community College in Whittier, Calif., in 1972. He played two seasons and earned first team all-conference as an offensive lineman. Ross transferred to WSU, where he earned honorable mention All-American and second team All-Pac-8 Conference. He was drafted in the 10th round by the San Francisco 49ers and played preseason for the Seattle Seahawks.

Ross joins former Beavers Daniel Drayton and Ryan Gunderson as graduate assistants. Drayton works with the defense and Gunderson is in an administrative role.