Matt Gross ’97 joined LVC's staff as an Assistant Coach in 2008, working with the team's running backs. He also added kicking duties to his slate in 2012.
In 2019, Gross guided kicker Nick Bentz to an outstanding season where he racked up the accolades. Bentz earned All-MAC First-Team and All-Region honors. Additionally, Bentz was named the 2019 MAC Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Gross has helped the Dutchmen develop one of the region’s top ground attacks, culminating with a record-setting 2009 as the Dutchmen racked up 2,442 yards with 29 touchdowns on the ground. In 2010, he mentored Ben Guiles ’12, who rushed for a record 1,330 yards. Guiles went on to earn MAC Player of the Year and all-America honors in 2011. Most recently, Brendon Irving put together consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2014 and 2015 en route to earning all-America honors as a sophomore and back-to-back All-MAC First-Team recognition. Since Gross joined the staff, LVC backs have racked up nine All-MAC honors.
In 2012 and 2013, he helped Sean Fakete earn all-MAC honors at kicker. In 2015, kicker Marcus Brown was twice named the MAC's Special Teams Player of the Week.
Gross returned to LVC in 2008 after six seasons at Lebanon High, where he served in a number of capacities. Gross coordinated the Cedars’ varsity offense and co-coordinated defense, and had previously coached a variety of positions. He also served as the head junior varsity coach for four seasons. Gross also held assistant positions at ELCO and Cedar Crest high schools. Gross was a three-year starter at offensive tackle and guard for Lebanon Valley, earning three letters. He resides in Cleona with his wife, Amy, and their daughters, Julia, Holly, and Joelle.
