After Troy exits the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, head coach Scott Cross will assume the same role at Georgia Tech. The school announced Cross’ hiring on Friday.
The Trojans, the No. 13 seed in the South Division, lost to No. 4 Nebraska 76-47 on Thursday. For the Cornhuskers, it was the first time in their history that they won the NCAA men’s championship.
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The Trojans are first in the Sun Belt with a 12-6 record and 22-13 overall. Cross coached Troy for seven seasons, compiling a 125-99 record, two conference regular season and tournament championships, and two NCAA tournament appearances. He was a two-time winner of the Sun Belt Coach of the Year award.
Prior to joining Troy University, Cross served as the head coach at UT Arlington for 12 seasons. He led the Mavericks to two regular-season Sun Belt championships, a conference championship and an NCAA berth while compiling a 225-161 record.
Cross replaces Damon Stoudemire, who finished last in the ACC this season (2-16) and went 42-55 in three seasons before being fired. He was previously linked to Georgia Tech associate athletic director Brent Jones, who was the Troy AD when Cross was hired as head coach.
“Coach Cross is a proven winner with 350 career wins and seven conference championships,” athletic director Ryan Alpert said in the school’s statement.
“His combination of experience, success and development of student-athletes on and off the court make him the perfect choice to carry on the proud tradition of Georgia Tech men’s basketball,” he added. “He is a great fit for our program, our institute and the Georgia Tech and Atlanta communities.”
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By hiring Cross quickly, Georgia Tech got a head start on the recruiting transfer portal. The basketball transfer portal officially opens the day after the NCAA Tournament. But for teams naming a new coach, the portal opens five days after the hire is officially announced.
Kroos’ ability to handle the transfer portal, and the consistent player movement that comes with it, is one of his most attractive attributes to Georgia Tech officials, according to Seth Emerson of The Athletic. Navigating the portal may be especially important as the Yellow Jackets try to improve their talent level to compete in the ACC.
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The coaching change is the first big decision for Alpert, who arrived at the position from Tennessee in July.
