Bryan Cross has spent much of his career teaching athletes what it takes to succeed on the football field.
Now, he is sharing that knowledge with a national audience in a different role.
Cross, Adair County High School’s Strength and Conditioning teacher, has added College Football Color Analyst for ESPN broadcasts to a career he never expected to pursue.
After decades of coaching, he retired in May while preparing for surgery, believing his time in athletics was coming to an end. Instead, an unexpected opportunity brought him back to football, this time alongside his brother, Rob, a play-by-play announcer for ESPN.
“I’m excited about this; it’s a great opportunity,” Cross said. “The coolest thing about it is, I started it with my brother Rob.”
A color analyst works alongside a play-by-play announcer during a broadcast, providing expert insight into strategy, player performance and the decisions that shape a game. While the play-by-play announcer describes the action, the color analyst draws on experience and knowledge of the sport to explain what is happening and why.
For Cross, that expertise comes from a lifetime in football – first as a player, then as a college coach for 20 years and a high school coach for 12 years. Today, he continues to share that knowledge with students in the weight room at Adair County, where he teaches strength and conditioning.
Cross played football in high school, though injuries repeatedly stole his time on the field.
He continued playing at Campbellsville University, where he played linebacker and was part of the first Mid-South Conference championship team in CU history in 1992. After earning a degree in business management, Cross began working at a bank. Coaching was not part of his plan.
That changed when Campbellsville offered him a coaching position. Cross accepted immediately, launching a career that gave him other coaching opportunities at Murray State University, Centre College, Western Kentucky University and Midwestern State University in Texas.
After approximately 20 years coaching at the college level, Cross moved to Casey County High School, where he spent 12 years. The transition gave him more time with his daughter, his priority that led him to high school coaching.
He came to Adair County to be an assistant to head coach Steve Stonebraker. Cross became head coach for the 2025-26 season.
Even after stepping away from coaching, Cross remained connected to athletics through his work in the weight room. But in May, while preparing for surgery, he officially retired from coaching football.
Then came the unexpected opportunity to work with his brother at ESPN.
Cross initially filled in as a color analyst for an ESPN broadcast featuring Murray State against the University of South Dakota. This was supposed to be a one-time opportunity. But after seeing his performance and the chemistry between the brothers, the network asked him to continue.
With decades of coaching experience behind him, Cross brings a deep understanding of game strategy, player development and the decisions made on the field, allowing Cross to naturally adjust to broadcasting. Now, he breaks down the action and give viewers a better understanding of the game. Working alongside his brother also makes the opportunity especially meaningful.
One piece of advice Cross frequently shared with his players was, “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.”
The principle applies beyond the playing field. Cross has spent his career adapting to new teams, programs and responsibilities. Now, he is bringing that same experience to the broadcast booth while continuing to teach students at Adair County.
“I truly believe everything happens for a reason, and God puts you in places you need to be for the next step,” Cross said.
For someone whose career has repeatedly taken unexpected turns, the opportunity with ESPN reinforces a lesson he hopes others will carry with them.
“Never say never,” Cross said.
Cross may have stepped away from coaching, but football remains a central part of his life. Whether teaching students in the weight room or analyzing a game for ESPN viewers, he continues to share the knowledge he has spent decades building – proving that sometimes the next chapter begins when the previous one appears to be over.
By Lily Coots
reporter@adairvoice.com
