SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) – Southern Cal administrator Daryl Gross was hired as Syracuse’s athletic director Friday.

He leaves USC after 14 years to replace Jake Crouthamel, who is retiring in June after 27 years on the job.

“I’m just thrilled, overwhelmed. The name Syracuse’ brings nothing but greatness and pride,” Gross said. “It brings so much tradition and legacy. It was such an easy decision to make. I can’t think of a better place to get started.”

Chancellor Nancy Cantor said the school initially considered more than 100 candidates

“Daryl embodies exactly the qualities we’re looking for,” Cantor said. “He has shown a depth of experience and leadership at USC and a great appreciation and understanding of academics.”

Gross, 43, is a 1982 graduate of the University of California at Davis and holds a doctorate in educational psychology from USC. He served as an assistant football coach at Cal-Davis for three years and was an assistant tennis coach.

Gross, a wide receiver in college, became a scout for the New York Jets for three years before joining the USC staff in 1991.

An associate athletic director since 1995, Gross has worn many hats. He has handled the day-to-day supervision of nine sports, made the football and men’s basketball schedules, shared oversight of the athletic department’s corporate sales and marketing operations and assisted in the undertaking of the biggest building program in the history of USC athletics.