Tony Cox, 51, is in his eighth season as the head coach of Tennessee Tech’s cross country and track programs. He returned to the program in July 2002 as assistant coach under Jim Greeson, and was elevated to the head coaching post in May 2004. It is his second time around in a coaching position at Tech. He was originally an assistant coach under Dena Fairley in 1998-99.

Cox has USATF (USA Track and Field) Level II certification in all events. The USATF offers three levels of coaching education as part of its mission to promote and develop all aspects of the sport of track and field. Cox completed the Level I program in July, 1999. The Level II course is a comprehensive, 60-hour program focusing on a particular event area as well as an in-depth look at training theory, physiology, biomechanics and sports psychology.

A native of Crossville, Tenn., Cox earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Tech in 1983 , and added a second bachelor’s degree from TTU in chemistry in 1992. He was a member of the Tech cross country team in 1979 and 1980. A USA track & field certified coach, Cox previously worked with recruiting, scheduling, training, and budgeting as assistant coach.

He also has 26 years experience as a competitive runner and is a four-time Boston Marathon qualifier. Cox served as the Tennessee State Parks Running Tour Coordinator 1994 to 2005, and was a 1997 recipient of the Tennessee Service Award for his work with the tour.

Tony and his wife, Amy, live in Mt. Juliet, Tenn. Amy is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and now works as a nurse practitioner at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. Also an avid runner and athlete, Amy was a member of the U.S. Summer Biathlon National team for nine years (through 2002) and was on two U.S. World Championships teams for summer biathlon where she competed in Austria and Poland.