UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball Head Coach Mike Jones has announced the addition of Josh Gross ’05 as assistant coach.
“We are excited to welcome Josh back to the G along with his wonderful family,” stated Coach Jones. “His love and passion for this place is obvious and we are thrilled to have him with us. Josh is a high character, hardworking young coach who wants to be great. He has a range of experience as a college player, professional player, high school coach, and college coach that will be impactful and help our student-athletes grow both on and off the court. He has proven to be a strong and influential mentor to young people, which we value very much in our program. We will benefit greatly from his ability to teach, motivate, and drive our team forward.”
Gross is no stranger to the Spartans, as he played in the Blue & Gold from 2001-05. He rejoins UNCG with 19 years of overall coaching experience, five years of coaching in the college coaching level, including the last two as assistant coach with Piedmont Triad foe Elon.
With the Phoenix, Gross assisted in the recruitment of the 2023 Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team member, as well as a 2024 CAA All-Rookie Team honoree. Gross was named a 2023-24 CAA Top Assistant Coach by CBB Nation this season.
Gross joined the Phoenix after spending the 2021-22 season as the head coach at Johnson & Wales University (Charlotte). Gross led the Wildcats to the 2022 USCAA Division II National Championship game, compiling a record of 17-12 in the 2021-22 season. Under Gross’s leadership, Anthony Rey earned USCAA First Team All-American honors and was selected to the USCAA All-Academic Team. Additionally, Jaylen Dibble and DeAndre Williams were each named to the USCAA All-Academic Team.
Prior to JWU, Gross served as an assistant coach Belmont Abbey. While there, the Crusaders captured the Conference Carolinas postseason tournament title and were the No. 1 seed for the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional. It was Gross’s second stint at Belmont Abbey, having also previously been an assistant coach in the 2017-18 season.
Before Belmont Abbey, Gross spent two seasons as the head coach at Gaston Christian School from 2018-20. He guided the Eagles to an NCISAA Elite 8 appearance, and had multiple players selected to the all-conference team. He also coached at J.M. Robinson High School in Concord and was part of a South Piedmont Conference championship team that advanced to the NCHSAA Sweet 16.
Gross played at UNCG from 2001-05, where he led the Spartans in field goal percentage in 2002-03 (.520) and three-point field goal percentage in 2004-05 (.414). He furthered his playing career after graduation by participating in the NBA’s D-League. He played for several D-League teams including Austin, Albuquerque, Florida, and Los Angeles. He also played professional basketball internationally in both England and Japan.
A native of Washington, D.C., Gross is married to his wife, Faith, and they have three daughters, Trinity, Jordyn, and Hope.
