An assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania, Cruz comes to University City fresh off the 2024 Paris Olympics where he placed fifth at 57 kg. Cruz brings an impressive professional resume to Penn, currently ranked fifth at 57 kg globally. He competed in the 2020, 2022, and 2023 Pan American championships, capturing bronze in 2020 and 2023 and silver in 2022.
 
"Darian's accolades jump off the page but what makes us most excited about adding him to staff is his incredible ability to connect with everyone around him," said Penn Head Coach Matt Valenti. "We are fortunate to be rounding out our staff with someone of Darian's experience, who has learned from some of the best coaches in the world and can speak from lived experience about success at the highest levels of the sport. We can't wait to welcome Darian and his family to Penn!"
 
As a decorated student-athlete at Lehigh from 2013-17, Cruz was a three-time All-American, a three-time EIWA champion at 125, and a NCAA champion. Cruz sits second all-time in wins as a Mountain Hawk, finishing his collegiate career with a 120-20 record. The Allentown, Pa., native returned to Bethlehem in 2020 as a volunteer assistant coach staying in the position for two seasons.