Georgia Tech is making waves in the college basketball scene by appointing Scott Cross as its new men's basketball coach. This move comes hot on the heels of Troy's exit from the NCAA Tournament, where Cross has just wrapped up a notable seven-year stint.
Cross, who guided Troy to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, is known for his knack for program-building. His journey at Troy began with a challenging 9-22 record but quickly turned into a success story, with the Trojans securing 20-win seasons over the past five years. Before his time at Troy, Cross left his mark at UT Arlington, his alma mater, where he led the team to the NCAA Tournament in just his second year.
Georgia Tech's athletic director, Ryan Alpert, is making a strategic move with this hire. After previous attempts to revitalize the program didn’t pan out, Alpert is banking on Cross's experience and proven track record. The decision follows the departure of Damon Stoudamire, whose NBA-heavy coaching background didn’t translate into the college success Tech had hoped for.
The Yellow Jackets are eager to return to their glory days, reminiscent of the Bobby Cremins era and the 2004 national championship game run under Paul Hewitt. Alpert, who joined Georgia Tech from Tennessee, is applying insights gained from his time with the Volunteers, where stability under veteran coach Rick Barnes was key.
A familiar face, Georgia Tech associate AD Brent Jones, who was instrumental in hiring Cross at Troy, played a pivotal role in this decision. The administration is particularly impressed with how Cross managed the transfer portal at Troy, a crucial skill given the current climate of college basketball.
Cross's experience at the power conference level includes a stint as an assistant at TCU, adding another layer to his coaching repertoire. As Georgia Tech looks to rebuild from an 11-20 season, Cross might focus on retaining promising talents like Jaeden Mustaf, Akai Fleming, and Cole Kirouac, while possibly bringing in some of his standout players from Troy.
With the basketball transfer portal set to open soon, Cross will have the opportunity to reshape the roster and set the stage for a new era of Georgia Tech basketball. Fans are hopeful that this marks the beginning of a return to prominence for the Yellow Jackets.