| Gene Cross | |
|---|---|
| Sport(s) | Basketball |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | August 12, 1971 |
| Place of birth | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Playing career | |
| 1990–94 | Illinois |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1997–02 2002–05 2005–06 2006–08 2008–10 |
Illinois at Chicago (asst.) DePaul (asst.) Virginia (asst.) Notre Dame (asst.) Toledo |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 11–53 |
Gene Cross (born December 20, 1971) is an American college basketball coach, most recently holding a head coaching position with the University of Toledo Rockets men's basketball team.[1] Cross resigned from his position on March 11, 2010.[2]
Cross was born in Chicago, Illinois. Cross played prep basketball at Rich Central High School in Olympia Fields, Illinois. As a senior, he was named the team's MVP and also earned all-conference honors.
From 1990 to 1994, Cross played college basketball at the University of Illinois under head coach Lou Henson. As a walk-on, he only played in 29 games during his collegiate career. Cross was a letterman during his junior and senior seasons and helped lead the Illini to the NCAA Tournament in both seasons. He graduated from Illinois with a Bacherlor's Degree in History. Cross would then go on to earn his Master's Degree in Sports Management at Ohio State.
After receiving his degree, Cross spent one year coaching basketball at Marion-Franklin High School in Columbus, Ohio.
In 1996, Gene Cross returned to his hometown when he was hired on to the coaching staff at the University of Illinois-Chicago. In his first season at UIC, the Flames finished with a 15–14 overall record and reached the MCC Tournament Championship, where they lost to Butler, 69–68. The 1997–98 season was more successful, as UIC would tie a school record with 22 victories and win a share of the MCC regular-season title. During that season, the Flames had wins against conference champions Michigan State (Big Ten), Illinois State (Missouri Valley), and Valparaiso (Horizon League). In Cross's final season at UIC, the Flames finished 20–14 and won the Horizon League title outright. That win propelled UIC into the NCAA Tournament via an automatic bid. However, they would be knocked out of the first round by eventual Final Four participant Oklahoma.
Following his success at UIC, Cross spent 3 seasons from 2002 to 2005 as the assistant coach for the DePaul Blue Demons. DePaul finished the 2002–03 season with a 16–13 record and failed to make the NCAA Tournament or the NIT. The 2003–04 season was much more successful. The Blue Demons finished the regular season 22–10 and made it to the NCAA Tourney, only to lose in the first round. DePaul finished 20–11 in 2004–05 and lost in the second round of the NIT.
Following the 2004–05 season, DePaul head coach Dave Leitao left to become the head coach at Virginia. Cross followed Leitao to Virginia and became Leitao's top assistant. Cross only spent the 2005–06 season at Virginia and helped guide the Cavaliers to a 15–15 record and a berth in the NIT, where they would lose in the first round.
After a subpar season with Virginia, Cross left to become the assistant coach at Notre Dame under head coach Mike Brey. Notre Dame finished the 2006–07 season with a 24–8 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. They would be upset in the first round by Winthrop.
In 2007–08, The Irish finished 25-8 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tourney, only to lose to Washington State.
On April 11, 2008, Gene Cross was selected to be the new head coach of the Toledo Rockets.[3] Cross took the reins from Stan Joplin, who coached the Rockets for 12 seasons.
Cross went 11–53 in 2 years as head coach of the Rockets, leading to his resignation on March 11, 2010.
In 2005, Cross was named one of the top 25 recruiters in college basketball by Rivals.com. CBSsportsline.com named Cross to the list of "Ten Assistants Ready For the Next Step" in 2007.
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