Arkansas tennis coach steps down

Robert Cox announced he was stepping down from the Arkansas tennis team on Monday.

— Robert Cox will step down as the Arkansas head men's tennis coach, he announced Monday.

Cox has been coaching the Razorbacks for 26 seasons and played for the Arkansas tennis team in 1977 and 1978. The long-time Arkansas tennis coach is taking a position within the athletic department’s administration following the season. Cox will work with the facilities and event management divisions.

“I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to lead the men’s tennis program at the University of Arkansas for the past 26 seasons,” Cox said. “In that time, I have been blessed to be a part of more than 320 wins, multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and some extraordinary on-court accomplishments. However, I am most proud of the outstanding young men who have been a part our program and all they have accomplished as Razorback student-athletes by earning their college degrees and proudly representing the University of Arkansas and our entire state.

“I appreciate the tremendous support our program has enjoyed throughout my tenure at the University of Arkansas starting with Coach Frank Broyles and Jeff Long and extending to the entire Razorback Family. I look forward to continuing to serve this great University now in a new role as a part of the athletic department’s administrative team.”

Cox has won more dual tennis matches (323) than any coach in Arkansas history and 42 percent of the program's win total (762). Additionally, the program has a doubles team, consisting of Manfred Jeske and Mike Nott, competing in the NCAA Tournament beginning May 22 in Urbana, Ill.

The Arkansas tennis team has made nine NCAA Tournament appearances, six regional finals and a round of 16 appearance in Cox's 26 years at the helm of the program. He also produced 13 All-Americans, 23 All-SEC selections, seven SWC champions, two ITA national champions, two ITA No. 1-ranked singles players and one ITA No. 1-ranked doubles team.

“For the past 26 years, Robert Cox has been one of the most respected tennis coaches in the country and the cornerstone of the success of our men’s tennis program,” Long said. “His 323 victories and countless accomplishments speak for themselves. However, it is his positive influence on the lives of student-athletes that has set him apart. The impact of his leadership can be demonstrated in the remarkable graduation rate of his student-athletes all while competing in the most competitive athletic conferences in the nation.

"Robert has been and continues to be a great ambassador for the Razorback program and the University of Arkansas. I am pleased that he will remain a part of our department in his new role.”