Bison great does not believe coaching days are done

McCook coach Jeff Gross discusses strategy with assistant Richard Smock (right) during another Bison run to the Class B state playoffs this fall.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Gone but not forever was Jeff Gross’ message about his coaching career when talking to the Omaha World-Herald on Wednesday.

“I really believe I will coach again,” McCook’s football leader since 1998 said in a published interview.

Gross stepped down from coaching the Bison on Wednesday larger to spend more time with family and watching former players.

Son DJ Gross, Hunter Hays, Cam Berry and Colin Giron are all McCook High alums who’ve joined the University of Nebraska-Kearney football program.

Several other Bison have continued their collegiate careers, including 2017 Super-Stater Zach Schlager with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

“I need to prioritize over the next few years what’s most important,” Gross said on Wednesday.

McCook’s next football coach will take over a program that has made 21 consecutive Class B state playoff appearances.

The Bison reached that goal again this fall. They went 6-3 and those three defeats were against three of Class B’s four state semifinalists.

McCook finished No. 10 in ‘B’ state rankings.