Thomas Cox is in his fifth season on the Golden Eagle coaching staff and his third season coaching the offensive line, which is expected to shine in 2011 as one of the strengths of the program. He worked his first two seasons in Cookeville directing the Golden Eagle wide receivers, helping develop talents such as Larry Shipp and Tim Benford. For the past two years, the 31-year-old has worked at developing the skills of several projected standouts such as Slade Adams, Scott Schweitzer, Michael Baker, Hunter Beedle and Malcolm Jones.

Proving throughout his coaching career that he is more than capable of handling the toughest tasks, Cox has molded a unit that can provide protection to Tech’s talented quarterbacks but also smash open holes for the deep stable of runningbacks.

During his first year on the staff, Cox helped Shipp shatter numerous school records on his way to earning first-team all-OVC laurels as well as All-America recognition. Cox was also influential in helping his receivers adapt to the constant changes Tech underwent at quarterback due to injuries in 2007. In 2008 under his direction, Tim Benford set a school record for receptions and was named the OVC Freshman of the Year.

During the 2009 season, his first with the offensive line, Cox helped guide Slade Adams to all-OVC laurels as a freshman. Last year he was successful in bringing numerous talented newcomers into the program and working with them to help make them huge contributors -- players such as Wesley Sherrill, Randall Reeves and James Normand.

A former starting quarterback at UAB under Watson Brown, Cox came to Tennessee Tech in 2007 from a graduate assistant coaching position at North Carolina State. He spent two seasons working with receivers on Chuck Amato’s Wolfpack staff.

His coaching experience began with a couple of seasons on the high school level, followed by two years at N.C. State.

An effective communicator, Cox has developed an extremely strong knowledge of the game.

A native of Bessemer, Ala., Cox played his collegiate career under Brown at UAB, including 11 games as a starter for the Blazers. A member of the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll, the UAB Dean’s List and the UAB Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, Cox was 7-4 as a starter. He was named as a National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American.

In December 2002, Cox received his bachelor’s degree in history from UAB and began his coaching career at Campbell High School in Smyrna, Ga. He worked with the quarterbacks and also served as head coach of the freshman team during his first year at Campbell, and was the running backs coach for the varsity squad in his second campaign.

In June 2005, he moved to North Carolina State to pursue a master’s degree in Liberal Studies and take a graduate assistant position with the Wolfpack. During his time at N.C. State, he was part of the Wolfpack coaching staff that led the team to the 2005 Meineke Car Care Bowl. He received his master’s degree in June 2007.

Cox is married to the former Jackie Tharp. The couple welcomed their first child, Johnna, on Nov. 23, 2008 They are expecting their second child on Nov. 1.