Prior to joining the Energy, the Chicago natvie spent time with the Maine Red Claws and Utah Flash of the D-League following multiple years coaching in the college ranks.

Originally hired as an assistant by the University of Illinois-Chicago, he made the jump to the Conference USA by joining the DePaul Blue Devils in 2002. In 2005, Cross accepted a position with the Virginia Cavaliers before moving on to assist Mike Bray at Notre Dame the following season. In 2008, Cross was hired as the head coach of the Toledo Rockets in the Mid American Conference and held the position until his move to the D-League in 2010.