Tod Gross played at Shenandoah and has coached at Franklin and Marshall and Guilford. Davidson athletics photo

Muhlenberg has hired Tod Gross as baseball coach. He replaces Corey Goff, who relinquished the position following the 2012 season to become Muhlenberg’s athletic director.

Gross brings to Muhlenberg 10 years of experience as a collegiate assistant coach at the NCAA Division I, II and III levels, including three years at Centennial Conference rival Franklin and Marshall.

“I am very honored and excited to be named the next head baseball coach at Muhlenberg College,” said Gross. “After meeting with some of the current players, members of the athletic department and members of the college community, it was obvious to see the excitement and passion they have for Muhlenberg College, and that made this decision easy for my family and me.”

Gross inherits a young Mule team that went 19-21 in 2012, an eight-win improvement from 2011. Muhlenberg got off to its best start in 82 years this past spring and received votes in a national poll for the first time ever.

“I look forward to getting started and building on what Coach Goff has done over the last six years,” said Gross. “My goal for this program is to create an environment which all players involved can be successful as young men in the classroom, in the community and on the baseball field.”

A 2002 graduate of Shenandoah, Gross was an assistant at Division I Davidson for the last three seasons, serving as hitting coach, working with the infielders and outfielders and coordinating recruiting for a highly selective institution. During his time at Davidson, Gross coached two All-Southern Conference freshman performers and two NCAA Division I Freshman All-Americans along with several Academic All-Conference student-athletes.

Before joining the Davidson staff, Gross served as an assistant at Belmont Abbey for two seasons. In 2009, Belmont Abbey won the Southeast regional, advancing to the Division II College World Series and finishing the year ranked in the top five in both major polls. The 2008 team set a school record with 41 wins. Prior to his tenure at Belmont Abbey, Gross spent two seasons on the staff at Guilford. In his first season, the Quakers set a school record for batting average.

Gross began his coaching career at Franklin and Marshall in 2003. In his final season there, 2005, the Diplomats won the Centennial Conference regular-season and tournament titles, earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 years. F&M recorded a 66-52 record in Gross’ three seasons.

Gross was a four-year letterwinner at Shenandoah and served as a captain during his junior and senior seasons. After his senior season, Gross received the inaugural Irene A. Schutt award for dedication and Inspiration on and off the field.

Gross, who attended Manheim Central High School, will be returning to his home state with his wife, Shannon Gross.

“I would like to thank the administration, athletic director Sam Beidleman, Corey Goff and the search committee for the opportunity to lead this program,” said Gross. “I would also like to thank Coach Dick Cooke, Coach Kermit Smith, Coach Nick Black and Coach Brett Boretti for giving me an opportunity and allowing me the chance to learn from them. Each of them has made a huge impact on me not only as a coach but as a person.”