Cox to be Inducted into Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame
Apr 11, 2014 | Football
Cox, one of five inductees in this year's class, was a standout at Coeur d'Alene High School prior to starring at the University of Idaho from 1983-86 under head coaches Dennis Erickson and Keith Gilbertson. He still ranks among the Vandals' all-time leaders with 252 career tackles, including a team-leading 89 stops in 1984.
Following his collegiate career, Cox stayed at Idaho until 1994 as an assistant coaching the linebackers and defensive line. He helped his alma mater to a combined 73-26 record, win four Big Sky Conference championships and five top-10 finishes.
After his stint at Idaho, Cox went on to be an assistant at Utah State (1995-97), the University of Louisville (1998-2002), Michigan State (2003-06), the St. Louis Rams (2007-08) and the University of Washington (2009-11) prior to coming to K-State in 2012.
Cox helped the Wildcats win the 2012 Big 12 Championship by tutoring a fierce linebacker corps led by All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Arthur Brown. Under Cox's tutelage, Brown was named a finalist for the Lott IMPACT?Trophy and a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award prior to being selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Cox also helped K-State finish first in the Big 12 in scoring defense as the Wildcats yielded 22.1 points per game.
In 2013, All-Big 12 linebacker Blake Slaughter led a Wildcat defense that ranked third in the Big 12 in rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense. Slaughter's 110 tackles were the most by a Wildcat since 2003, while Cox also tutored former walk-on and first-year starter Jonathan Truman, who ranked second on the team with 89 tackles.
Kansas State is in the midst of spring practices, which will culminate with the annual Purple/White Spring Game on Saturday, April 26, beginning at 1:10 p.m., at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Fans are encouraged to order their tickets for the spring game in advance through the K-State Athletics Ticket office online at www.k-statesports.com/tickets, by phone at 1-800-221-CATS or in person at the main ticket office inside Bramlage Coliseum.
The Wildcats open a seven-game home schedule in 2014 on Saturday, August 30, when they host Stephen F. Austin. Following a trip to Iowa State on September 7, K-State will take on BCS National Championship Runner-Up Auburn in a nationally-televised Thursday-night matchup on September 18.
