Coaching Career
Cory Ross has been the Head Coach of the Steamwheelers ever since the franchise returned to Quad City in 2018. During that time, he has helped lead the team to the postseason in two different leagues (CIF and IFL).
In 2025, the Steamwheelers amassed a 11-5 record while clinching the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and advancing to the Eastern Conference Championship. Ross earned the 2025 IFL Coach of the Year award while developing three IFL All-Rookie selections and five different All-IFL selections. Offensively, under his guidance, the Wheelers ranked among the league's best offenses, racking up 2,345 passing yards, 49 touchdowns, and 7.5 passing yards per attempt, while rushing for 1,670 yards and 53 touchdowns. Their 844 points and 46.9 points per game were also in the top three in the league in those categories.
In 2024, Ross developed two rookie quarterbacks while also leading the Steamwheelers to a 6-2 home record and another IFL playoff birth.
In 2023, the Steamwheelers again made it to the IFL playoffs finishing the season with a 6-1 home record. Ross helped two Wheelers earn All-IFL honors.
In 2022, the Steamwheelers defeated the defending IFL Champion Massachusetts Pirates in the first round of the playoffs before upsetting the No. 1 seed Frisco Fighters to win the Eastern Conference Championship and earn a birth in the 2022 IFL National Championship game.
In 2021, when the Steamwheelers entered a state of dormancy due to the pandemic, Coach Ross served the Bismarck Bucks as the team's Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator, helping to lead the Bucks to their first IFL postseason birth in franchise history.
From 2015-2017, Ross served as the Head Coach of the Omaha Beef, recording back-to-back 7-5 seasons and earning a birth in the 2017 CIF League Championship Game.
Playing Career
As an athlete, Ross played running back and ended his NCAA career at the University of Nebraska ranked 4th in school history with 3,472 total yards from scrimmage. In his final college football game, Nebraska defeated Michigan 32-28 and Ross was named the 2005 Alamo Bowl MVP.
Ross played for the Baltimore Ravens from 2006-2008, recording multiple 100-yard games, including 154 total return yards vs. the Indianapolis Colts in the 2006 AFC Divisional Playoff Game.
Ross played for the Sacramento Mountain Lions from 2009-2011, winning UFL Offensive MVP honors in 2010.