AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn baseball associate head coach Gabe Gross will transition to a new role and serve Auburn Athletics as a special assistant for athletics engagement.
“My family and I have been incredibly blessed over the years by many things, but perhaps none more so than Auburn University and the game of baseball,” Gross said. “It has been an incredible honor to serve as Auburn’s hitting coach over the last nine years, an experience my entire family has cherished, but the time has come for me to transition into a different role for Auburn Athletics.
“I have two teenagers at home, and our time with them under our roof is quickly fading,” Gross added. “The current construct of collegiate athletics and college baseball demand your full attention, and my family does as well. While it’s difficult to step away, I know it’s the right decision. I want to thank Coach Thompson for giving me the opportunity to coach at Auburn. I also want to personally thank the Auburn Family for their love and support on and off the field as both a player and coach. Lastly, I want to thank all the players I have coached during my career at Auburn. The relationships built with all my former and current players continue to be very special to me. Watching them display the toughness and skill required to excel in the SEC and put Auburn baseball in a position to once again contend for championships has been the highlight of my coaching career. To every former and current Auburn baseball player, thank you. I love you guys. War Eagle!”
In his new role within the athletics department, Gross will assist with fundraising efforts and appear on Auburn baseball radio and television broadcasts, among other duties.
The transition comes after spending the last nine seasons as the program’s hitting coach, the first six seasons as an assistant coach before being elevated to associate head coach for the last three seasons.
“Gabe is an Auburn Man through and through, and he’s been a huge part of our program’s success over the last nine seasons,” Thompson said. “More than just a coach on staff, Gabe has helped me grow my love for Auburn and is a lifelong friend.
“He’s poured into our student-athletes not only as their hitting coach, but also on a personal level, helping shape them into both better ballplayers and young men,” Thompson added. “We’re excited to keep him around in a new role that’ll allow him to continue to make a difference and build a new connection with the Auburn Family.”
During Gross’ nine seasons on staff, Auburn’s offenses played a key role in the program’s six postseason appearances, including five super regional appearances and two College World Series appearances.
The unit turned in a collective .286 batting average with 959 doubles and 640 home runs in 503 games. With 80 or more home runs in five of the last six seasons, including 90 in 2026 - good for the third highest mark in program history, seven of the program's top 10 home run totals have come under his guidance.
Gross has helped mentor 21 All-SEC honorees, six All-Americans, seven Freshman All-Americans and 17 MLB Draft picks. He has also seen his players set nine top-10 offensive marks in program history.
In addition to serving as the team's hitting coach, Gross has assisted in recruiting and has helped bring in seven top-15 recruiting classes, including three straight top-10 classes from 2024-26.
A three-year starter in the Auburn outfield from 1999-01, Gross was a first-team All-American in 2000 after he led the SEC in hitting with a blistering .430 average. A two-time All-SEC performer, Gross was a freshman All-American in 1999 and a second-team Academic All-American in 2001.
Named Auburn's 2016 SEC Baseball Legend, Gross remains in the school's top 10 in 12 statistical categories, including batting average (.375), hits (259), doubles (68), runs (184), home runs (35) and RBI (218), among other career lists.
A first round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2001, Gross enjoyed a seven-year big league career and was a member of the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays team that made a World Series appearance. He totaled 78 doubles, eight triples, 40 home runs and 186 RBI while playing for four different organizations.
Following his career in professional baseball, Gross served as a student assistant and volunteer assistant at Auburn from 2012-13 and broadcaster for CSS, ESPN and SEC Network from 2014-17.