Vernell Ross is not only one of the most prominent and longest active serving advocates from the town of Havana, Florida, he is a hometown hero and legendary basketball coach. 

Ross was born on May 12, 1929, in Wacissa, Florida. At the age of 8 years old, his family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida where he received both his primary and secondary education in the Pinellas County School System. He played both basketball and football at Gibbs High School and lettered in both sports. Ross received an athletic scholarship to play football at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. He lettered in football three years and was a starter in his senior year. He played under the leadership of FAMU coaching legend Alonzo Smith “Jake” Gaither. Ross graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Health in 1952. 

After serving three years in the U.S. Army as a military policeman, his basketball coaching career began in 1959 when he accepted the role as coach for boys and girls basketball at St. John Elementary School. This is where his competitive edge began as the St. John “Red Devils” were the only team in the county with a 40-game winning streak.

In 1962 Coach Ross accepted the head boys basketball coaching position at Northside High School in Havana, Florida. Over the span of 16 years, Coach Ross compiled an impressive record, appearing in playoffs and winning over 300 victories. He appeared in eight State Playoffs, won eight Regional Titles, 12 District championships, two Consolation titles, he won one Runner-Up title, and he won three State Championships in 1971, 1974 and in 1978. Ross also served as the head coach of Northside High School’s baseball team from 1968-1971 and served as the head coach of the girls track team from 1979-1985 where he won four District titles.

Along with serving as a high school coach for 25 years, Ross has a long and extensive career in the Gadsden County community and he received numerous awards and honors. He won Coach of the Year in Basketball in 1965-66, 1971-74 and in 1978. Ross has also won the Kiwanis Club Award for Community Service, was inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, the Havana Northside High School of Fame in 1986, and the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999. He was also inducted into the Gibbs High School Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Gadsden County High School Hall of Fame in 2017.

Ross held numerous positions in office for the Town of Havana. He became the first Black mayor in Havana and served as councilman for the Town of Havana for over 36 years. Ross is a lifetime member of the FAMU Alumni Association, a member of FAMU Boosters and a member of FAMU Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

Coach Ross is a living legend in Gadsden County, Florida. He has dedicated his life to service in his community, city, county, state, and country. On April 9, 2021, the town of Havana unveiled their dedication to Coach Ross by naming the Havana Police Department complex the Vernell Ross Public Safety Building.