Andy Kennedy’s UAB coaching staff is taking shape heading into his fourth season on the Southside.

Ryan Cross has been promoted to UAB basketball associate head coach, as announced by Kennedy and the program Monday, after serving the last three seasons as an assistant coach.

“I want to thank Coach Kennedy and our administration for this honor.” Cross said, “My family and I have truly enjoyed making Birmingham our home. I look forward to working with our staff as we continue to take Blazer Basketball to national prominence.”

Cross has been a pivotal component of UAB’s resurgence on the hardwood that has resulted in three straight 22-win seasons, the 2022 C-USA tournament title and subsequent NCAA tournament appearance and an appearance in the 2023 NIT championship game. UAB’s record during Kennedy’s three-year tenure sits at 78-25, the best record in program history through a three-year period, and the Blazers set the program mark for victories with a 29-20 record last season.

Along with his work on the court, Cross is a valuable recruiter for the Blazers and helped land of the best recruiting classes in recent memory. UAB signed three of the top-10 JUCO players in the nation in Chris Coleman, Alejandro Vasquez, and Yaxel Lendeborg, while bringing in four prominent portal entries with North Alabama’s Daniel Ortiz, Ole Miss’ James White, Arkansas’ Barry Dunning and North Carolina’s Will Shaver.

During Cross’ tenure in Birmingham, UAB has had six different players earn C-USA honors. Jordan “Jelly” Walker was named the 2021-2022 C-USA Player of the Year and Quan Jackson, Tavin Lovan, Trey Jemison, KJ Buffen and Eric Gaines. have all been named to the all-conference teams. Additionally, Quan Jackson and Trey Jemison both earned C-USA all-defensive honors.

“Coach Cross has played a pivotal role in our success over the last three seasons,” Kennedy said. “His ability to recruit and develop players has been instrumental in us winning the fifth most games in college basketball from 2020 to 2023.”