Josh Gross '05 was announced as assistant coach for the men's basketball program at the end of May 2024.
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.
