Fairhope High School is turning to a proven winner to lead its football program, hiring former state championship coach Caleb Ross as its next head coach.

Ross brings one of the most accomplished résumés in Alabama high school football to the Eastern Shore program, highlighted by a state title, multiple championship game appearances and a 64-31 record in eight seasons. The Pirates’ new head coach is very familiar with the Gulf Coast, having previously served as head coach and assistant athletic director at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School and as offensive coordinator at Spanish Fort High School.

He led McGill-Toolen to its first Class 7A state championship in 2015 and followed that season by guiding the Yellow Jackets back to the state finals in 2016. McGill finished ranked No. 4 nationally by USA Today that season despite falling in the title game to Hoover High.

Before his tenure at McGill, Ross built a reputation as one of Alabama’s top offensive minds. He was offensive coordinator for the Toros during their 2012 state championship run and previously helped powerhouse program Prattville High to a state title in 2008.

Since stepping away from high school coaching, Ross has worked at both the state executive and collegiate levels. He served as director of football, baseball and bowling for the Alabama High School Athletic Association in 2025.

Before his work in Montgomery, Ross spent 2024 as an offensive analyst and assistant wide receivers coach at Tulane University, where the offense averaged 35.1 points per game. From 2021-23, he served as an assistant tight ends coach and offensive analyst at Troy University, contributing to back-to-back Sun Belt Conference championships in 2022 and 2023.

Ross takes over a Fairhope program that reached the Class 7A quarterfinals last season, finishing 8-4 under recently retired coach Tim Carter. The Pirates open the 2026 season on the road against Pace, Florida, on Aug. 21.