Samford University has officially hired John Grass as its new head football coach.

Grass was named the 37th head coach in program history on December 3, 2025, following the dismissal of former coach Chris Hatcher. Grass brings a wealth of experience to the Bulldogs, having previously served as head coach at Jacksonville State University, where he compiled a 72–26 record and won six Ohio Valley Conference championships. Most recently, he was a senior offensive assistant and assistant quarterbacks coach at Clemson University.

A native of Ashville, Alabama-just 40 miles from Samford-Grass has deep roots in the state, including high school coaching stints at Hoover, Spain Park, Oxford, and Moody. His hiring aligns with Samford's emphasis on finding a leader with strong Alabama ties and a commitment to the university's Christian mission.

He was formally introduced at a press conference on December 4, 2025, at Samford's University Center, where he expressed gratitude for the opportunity and emphasized his vision of building a championship-caliber program grounded in faith, community, and player development.