Cox joins the ISU staff in the summer of 2024 following a graduate assistant stint with the University of Iowa football program assisting with the Hawkeye defense. He was a UI fullback during his playing career lettering in both 2013 and 2015.
In 2023, the Hawkeyes won 10 games, including their final four, to capture the Big Ten West Division for the second time in three years and finished the season ranked No. 24.
The Hawkeyes ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense (14.8) and passing efficiency defense (102.1), fifth in passing yards per game (170.7), and seventh in total defense (282.5) in 2023. DB Cooper DeJean was honored as the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. DeJean was also recognized as a unanimous consensus All-American and was a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy.
Iowa’s defense led the way in 2022, winning eight games, including five of their final six games. Iowa’s defense was in the top 12 in the nation in scoring defense (second), total defense (second), pass efficiency defense (fourth), passing yards per game (sixth), first down defense (10th), third down defense (11th) and rushing defense (12th).
The Hawkeyes won 10 games in 2021, winning the Big Ten West Division title and advancing to the conference championship game. Iowa concluded the season with an appearance in the Citrus Bowl and was ranked 23rd in the final national rankings. DB Riley Moss was honored as the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. Moss, defensive back Dane Belton, and linebacker Jack Campbell all earned first-team All-Big Ten honors.
Iowa’s defense set a school record and led the nation with 25 interceptions in 2021. The defense ranked among national leaders in takeaways (30, third), defensive touchdowns scored (four, seventh), pass efficiency defense (110.5, sixth), turnover margin (0.8, 11th), rushing defense (114.4, 13th), scoring defense (19.2, 13th), and total defense (328.8, 18th).
Cox returned to Iowa after serving as a graduate assistant coach at Central Michigan. He worked with the defensive secondary and special teams in 2018 and 2019 before coaching linebackers in 2020. Central Michigan won the MAC West Division in 2019 and competed in the New Mexico Bowl.
As a fullback for the Hawkeyes, Cox saw action in all 14 games in 2015 as the Hawkeyes posted a 12-2 overall record and won the Big Ten West Division. Iowa dropped a last-minute decision to Michigan State in the Big Ten championship game and earned a trip to the 2016 Rose Bowl. Cox missed the 2014 season due to injury.
Cox was a member of the Leadership Group as a senior in 2015 and was awarded the Brett Greenwood Award following the season. He earned Academic All-Big Ten honors as a senior as well.
Cox joined the program as a walk-on after attending Stillman Valley (Illinois) High School. He was put on scholarship prior to the 2014 season. He saw action in all 13 games in 2013, with three starts.
Cox earned his bachelor’s degree from Iowa in Health and Human Physiology. He is a native of Stillman Valley, Illinois.
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