Ross Learnard is in his second season as the volunteer assistant coach at Illinois State, after serving as the director of baseball operations for the 2018-19 academic year. Learnard brings experience as a player to the baseball staff, as he pitched two seasons at Purdue University.

As a senior, Learnard earned a spot on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Watch List, NCBWA Second Team Preseason All-American, Collegiate Baseball Third Team Preseason All-American, and Big Ten Pitcher of the Week (April 23).

During his junior season, Learnard earned NCBWA Second Team All-American and Academic All-Big Ten. He pitched in a team-high 27 games, all in relief, and was recognized as the team's Pitcher of the Year, as he put together a streak of 35.2 consecutive scoreless innings from March 11 to May 12, making 21 appearances during the streak. His 0.58 ERA established a new Purdue single season record (minimum 30 innings), eclipsing a benchmark that had stood since 1965. His 0.42 ERA in Big Ten play was also a new record (minimum 15 innings), and his 0.863 WHIP ranked second on the Purdue all-time single-season list.

Learnard pitched his first two collegiate seasons at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois. At Parkland, he compiled an 8-1 record, with 59 strikeouts and 1.96 ERA as a sophomore. He was named the 2016 Parkland Male Student-Athlete of the Year and was on the dean's list all four semesters.

Learnard earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue in Agribusiness in 2018.