Georgia Tech Hires Troy's Scott Cross as Next Coach

Cross, a proven winner with 350 career victories, will take over the Yellow Jackets program.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 9:25pm

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Georgia Tech has named Troy's Scott Cross as its new head coach of the men's basketball team, agreeing to a five-year deal with the 51-year-old coach. Cross has 10 seasons with 20 wins or more in 19 seasons as a head coach, amassing 350 career victories at UT Arlington and Troy. He led the Trojans to back-to-back Sun Belt championships and NCAA Tournament appearances the past two seasons, being named the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year.

Why it matters

Georgia Tech's men's basketball program has struggled in recent years, finishing in the basement of the ACC standings and failing to make the NCAA Tournament under former coach Damon Stoudamire. The hiring of the experienced and successful Scott Cross is seen as a move to revitalize the Yellow Jackets and return the program to its proud tradition.

The details

Cross, who went 125-99 in seven seasons at Troy, will take over a Georgia Tech team that finished 11-20 this past season with just two wins in ACC play. The Yellow Jackets' head coaching position was left open by the firing of Stoudamire, who went 42-55 in three seasons at the helm. Cross is known for developing student-athletes both on and off the court, and Georgia Tech is hoping his combination of experience, success, and player development will help turn the program around.

  • On Friday morning, Georgia Tech named Scott Cross as its new head coach.
  • Cross agreed to a five-year deal with the university.
  • In his seven seasons at Troy, Cross led the Trojans to back-to-back Sun Belt championships and NCAA Tournament appearances the past two seasons.

The players

Scott Cross

The 51-year-old Cross has 10 seasons with 20 wins or more in 19 seasons as a head coach, amassing 350 career victories at UT Arlington and Troy. He was named the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year.

Angel Cabrera

The president of Georgia Tech who agreed to the five-year deal with Cross.

Ryan Alpert

The director of athletics at Georgia Tech who said Cross is the "perfect person to carry on the proud tradition of Georgia Tech men's basketball."

Damon Stoudamire

The former Georgia Tech head coach who was fired after going 42-55 in three seasons and failing to make the NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“I am truly honored and humbled to be named the head coach of Georgia Tech men's basketball. I want to thank President (Angel) Cabrera and director of athletics Ryan Alpert for their belief and trust in me and my vision for this program.”

— Scott Cross, New Georgia Tech Head Coach

“We're thrilled to name Scott Cross the 16th head coach in Georgia Tech men's basketball history. Coach Cross is a proven winner with 350 career victories and seven conference championships on his resume. His combination of experience, success and development of student-athletes, both on and off the court, makes him the perfect person to carry on the proud tradition of Georgia Tech men's basketball.”

— Ryan Alpert, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics

What’s next

Cross will begin assembling his coaching staff and recruiting players to help turn around the Georgia Tech program.

The takeaway

The hiring of the experienced and successful Scott Cross represents a major effort by Georgia Tech to revitalize its struggling men's basketball program and return it to its proud tradition. Cross's track record of winning and developing student-athletes makes him an ideal fit to lead the Yellow Jackets back to relevance in the ACC and the NCAA Tournament.