Gross, a native of Rogersville, Ala., had a 41-2 record as a starting quarterback from 1992-95 including a 12-1 record as a starter in the NCAA playoffs. He set school records for career rushing touchdowns and touchdowns scored (40), career touchdowns responsible for (65) and career total offense (5,614).

His only two losses as a starter were to 1992 Division II National Champion Jacksonville State in the NCAA quarterfinals (12-10) and to 1994 Division I-AA National Champion Youngstown State (17-14) in Youngstown in a regular-season matchup. Despite suffering a torn muscle, he played extensively in the 1995 Division II Championship Game, leading three scoring drives in a 27-7 win over Pittsburg State.

He led UNA to 14-0, 13-1 and 14-0 records from 1993-95 and played on UNA teams with a combined 48-5-1 record that included three straight GSC titles, three straight national championships and four straight playoff appearances. He was selected for the 50th Anniversary UNA Football Team for 1949-98, the Gulf South Conference "Team of the Quarter Century" for 1971-95 and the Gulf South Conference Team of the 1990s. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Lauderdale County High School before being hired as an assistant coach at UNA. After three years with the Lions he spent two years as an assistant coach at Delta State - one year as offensive coordinator and one as assistant head coach. For the last four years he has been an assistant coach at Athens High School.