The University of Texas at Arlington
Office of Media Relations

Mavericks promote longtime assistant to program’s top spot

The University of Texas at Arlington named longtime assistant coach Scott Cross as its new head men’s basketball coach Friday.

Cross served as an assistant coach at UT Arlington for the past eight seasons, the last three as the top assistant for former coach Eddie McCarter. He was instrumental in leading the Mavericks to their first conference championship in 2003-04 when UT Arlington tied UT San Antonio and Southeastern Louisiana for the regular season championship, while compiling a 17-12 record.

Cross, 31, becomes the eighth head coach since UT Arlington became a senior college in 1959-60.

Regarded as one of the top recruiters in the state of Texas, Cross recruited former Maverick basketball players Donnie Beacham and Derrick Obasohan, both who played professional basketball overseas. Three members of the current Mavericks squad — sophomore Myles Guidry (20), Jermaine Griffin (26) and Larry Posey (27), were ranked among the top-30 players in the state by Mike Kunstadt’s Texas Basketball Review.

A three-year letter winner at Texas-Arlington from 1995-98, Cross gained the reputation as both a fierce competitor on the court and a scholar-athlete off the basketball floor.

As a player, Cross appeared in 82 games for UTA, including 58 in the starting lineup. As a senior, Cross averaged 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, while converting a team-high 41.5 percent of his three-point shots, second best in the Southland Conference. In addition, Cross poured in 21 consecutive free throws (four shy of the UT Arlington record) and was ranked as high as seventh in the NCAA in free-throw percentage. In all, he led the team in scoring eight times during the 1997-98 season, scored in double-figures 18 times and reached at least 20 points in games against McMurry (25), Texas Wesleyan (23), Air Force (21), Nicholls State (25) and a career-high 29 points against Sam Houston State.

Cross is a two-time GTE/College Sports Information Directors of America Basketball Academic All-American. Cross graduated with a perfect 4.0 grade point average in marketing from UT Arlington and earned his Master’s Degree in Sports Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2002 with a 4.0 grade-point-average.

He is married to the former Jennifer Harris, who played volleyball for the Mavericks from 1995-98. The couple resides in Arlington and have one son, Austin, age one.

Below are some thoughts from some notable head coaches:

Steve Roccoforte, Head Coach, Lamar University

“Having been a player at UTA for three years and an assistant coach for eight more years, Scott is undeniably loyal. Texas-Arlington is where he wants to be.”

“Scott Cross is hardworking, focused and well-rounded. He is one of the brightest young coaches in America. He understands the game, relates well with the players and is great recruiter. Scott is a great person.”

Johnny Jones, Head Coach, University of North Texas

“It is good to see someone like Scott, who has put a lot of time and energy into the UTA program, get an opportunity to be the head coach. I think he will do a tremendous job and I am excited for him and his family.”

Doc Sadler, Head Coach, University of Texas at El Paso

“I believe Scott is one of the brightest and up-and-coming coaches in the business. He is well respected amongst his peers for his hard work and recruiting. I believe he will be a bright star in the coaching profession.”

James Dickey, Assistant Coach, Oklahoma State University

“Congratulations to Scott and UT-Arlington. This is a great fit. Scott is a bright young star in our profession. Coaching your alma mater is always special.”

Terry Waldrop, Head Coach, Texas Wesleyan University

“I am thrilled for Scott. He is one the most quality-oriented people I know. It’s rewarding to see good things to happen to good people.”

Scott Drew, Head Coach, Baylor University

“Scott is an extremely hard worker who is well-respected in our profession. He will do an excellent job at UT-Arlington.”

Mike Kundstat, Texas Basketball Review

"Scott Cross is one of the most respected college coaches in the country. He does his homework and is a class guy. I am very proud of Scott and he is very deserving of the job."

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