Gene Cross
Encyclopedia
Gene Cross is an American college basketball coach, most recently holding a head coaching position with the University of Toledo
men's basketball team
. Cross resigned from his position on March 11, 2010.
From 1990-94, 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, OH.
, 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 2002-05 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
. 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.
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
men's basketball team
Toledo Rockets men's basketball
The Toledo Rockets team is the basketball team that represent the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. The school's team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 1980. Stan Joplin was released from his duties as...
. Cross resigned from his position on March 11, 2010.
Personal
Cross was born on December 20, 1971 in Chicago, IL. 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 1990-94, Cross played college basketball at the University of Illinois under head coach Lou Henson
Lou Henson
Lou Henson is a former college basketball coach. He retired as the all time leader in victories at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with 423 victories and New Mexico State with 289 victories...
. 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
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
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
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
.
After receiving his degree, Cross spent one year coaching basketball at Marion-Franklin High School in Columbus, OH.
Coaching career
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 ButlerButler Bulldogs men's basketball
The Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Horizon League, of which it has been a member since 1979...
, 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
Michigan State Spartans men's basketball
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represents Michigan State University and competes in the Big Ten Conference of NCAA Division I. The team currently plays at the Breslin Student Events Center...
(Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
), Illinois State
Illinois State Redbirds
The Illinois State Redbirds are the athletic teams that represent Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Teams play at the NCAA Division I level . The football team competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference while most other teams compete in the Missouri Valley Conference...
(Missouri Valley
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
), and Valparaiso
Valparaiso Crusaders men's basketball
The Valparaiso Crusaders Basketball team is the basketball team that represent Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. The school's team currently competes in the Horizon League. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2004. The Crusaders are currently...
(Horizon League
Horizon League
The Horizon League is a ten school, NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose members are located in five of the Midwestern United States....
). 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
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
participant Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball
-1908-1980:The Sooners enjoyed moderate success on the court during this era, posting only 16 losing records in their first 72 seasons. They were coached by 9 different coaches during this period, beginning with Bennie Owen , and ending with Dave Bliss in 1980...
.
Following his success at UIC, Cross spent 3 seasons from 2002-05 as the Assistant Coach for the DePaul Blue Demons
DePaul Blue Demons
The DePaul Blue Demons are the intercollegiate athletic teams of DePaul University, located in Chicago Illinois. The Blue Demons participate in NCAA Division I and is a member of the Big East Conference....
. DePaul finished the 2002-03 season with a 16-13 record and failed to make the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
or the NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
. 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
Dave Leitao
Dave Leitao is the head coach of the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League and the former head men's basketball coach of the University of Virginia. Previously, he was head coach at Northeastern University and DePaul University...
left to become the head coach at Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball program represents the University of Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA's Division I. The team is coached by Tony Bennett.-Statistics:-Retired numbers:-Retired jerseys:...
. 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
Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. The program competes in the Big East Conference of NCAA Division I. The school holds two national championships in...
under head coach Mike Brey
Mike Brey
Mike Brey is an American college basketball coach. He has been the men's head coach at the University of Notre Dame since July 14, 2000.-Early life and education:...
. 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
Washington State Cougars men's basketball
The Washington State Cougars Men's Basketball team represents Washington State University and competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I...
.
On April 11, 2008, Gene Cross was selected to be the new head coach of the Toledo Rockets
Toledo Rockets men's basketball
The Toledo Rockets team is the basketball team that represent the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. The school's team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 1980. Stan Joplin was released from his duties as...
. Cross took the reins from Stan Joplin
Stan Joplin
Stan Joplin is a former head men's basketball coach at the University of Toledo from 1996 to 2008.-Playing career:Joplin played guard at the University of Toledo from 1975–79. He was named to the second-team All-MAC for the 1977–78 and 1978–79 seasons...
, 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.