Dr. Daryl Gross is a transformational athletics leader with over three decades of experience across NCAA Division I and Division II programs. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Cal State Los Angeles, where he has helped usher in a new era of excellence since 2016. Under his leadership, Cal State LA won its first team national championship in over 40 years (men’s soccer, 2021), earned its highest national ranking in over a decade, and expanded offerings to include a competitive women’s golf program.

Gross’s leadership has driven success both on the field and in the classroom. During his tenure, Golden Eagle teams have produced 33 All-Americans, 88 All-Region athletes, and over 170 All-Conference honorees. He also led major capital projects, including partnerships with LAFC and the development of the Billie Jean King Legacy Center—an upcoming, world-class venue for education, inspiration, and sport.

Before Cal State LA, Dr. Gross served as Director of Athletics at Syracuse University for a decade. He was the architect of Syracuse’s move to the ACC, led the largest fundraising and facility campaign in school history, and elevated the athletic budget from $28 million to $93 million. Under his guidance, Syracuse Athletics achieved its highest-ever national rankings and graduation rates. Gross also launched the iconic “New York’s College Team” brand and was later named Vice President and Special Assistant to the Chancellor.

Earlier, Gross held senior administrative roles at USC, where he helped guide the Trojans to 16 national championships and over 30 Pac-10 titles. He played a key role in hiring elite coaches, including Pete Carroll, and oversaw record-breaking corporate sponsorships, marketing, and facilities development.

A former college football player at UC Davis and NFL scout for the New York Jets, Dr. Gross also coached football and tennis at the collegiate level. He holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree in educational psychology from USC, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UC Davis. He and his wife, Lael, live in Southern California with their four daughters.