ARKANSAS TENNIS

Cox steps down after 26 seasons

Robert Cox, pictured in this ADG File photo during the Kid's Tennis Day at the University of Arkansas' Dill Indoor Tennis Complex in Fayetteville, announced he was stepping down as the Arkansas tennis coach Monday.

FAYETTEVILLE - Robert Cox, who has spent nearly half his life as Arkansas’ men’s tennis coach, is stepping down after 26 seasons to take an administrative job within the UA athletic department, he announced Monday.

Cox, 56, said the move is a mutual decision between himself and Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long.

“We’ve had some very productive meetings the last couple of years, so I knew exactly where things stood,” Cox said. “We’ve talked about what needs to be done and the direction he wants it to go, and I’ve been in total agreement with him.

“Some of the goals we set, we just didn’t reach. That’s why the timing is right for me to step aside. This is the right decision for both the program and for me.” Cox had a 322-331 career record at Arkansas - the most victories of any UA coach and 42.3 percent of the program’s total of 762 -and led the Razorbacks to nine NCAA Tournament bids, including six regional finals and a Sweet 16 appearance in 2004.

Arkansas won Southwest Conference championships in 1987 and 1988 and finished in the top 20 rankings nationally in Cox’s first season as coach, but the Razorbacks weren’t selected for the NCAA Tournament field, which at the time was limited to 16 teams compared to the current format of 64.

Arkansas made all of its NCAA Tournament trips under Cox in a 13-year span from 1994 to 2006. The Razorbacks were 6-5 in SEC play in 2006, but have suffered seven consecutive losing conference seasons, including 0-13 this year when the team’s overall record was 16-16.

“We obviously haven’t been as successful as we want to be in the SEC,” Cox said. “I’ve had some pretty good runs, and we decided we need to get on that successful run again with a new coach.

“You couple that with Jeff inviting me to be a part of his administrative team, it just couldn’t work out any better.” Cox, an Arkansas graduate who played on the 1977 and 1978 teams for Coach Tom Pucci, will be working with the athletic department’s facilities and event management divisions.

“The opportunity for me to stay with the athletic department is very important,” said Cox, a Palestine, Texas, native. “I’m just so blessed to be able to continue living the dream of working for the Razorbacks and living in Fayetteville.” Long praised Cox for being one of the most respected tennis coaches in the country and called him a great ambassador for the Razorbacks.

“However, it is his positive influence on the lives of student-athletes that has set him apart,” Long said in a statement. “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.” Cox coached 13 All-Americans, most recently Blake Strode in 2009. He coached 23 All-SEC players and seven SWC champions.

“We’ve had some great players, but more importantly, I’m so proud of what our guys accomplished as student-athletes,” Cox said. “They’ve always conducted themselves the right way on the court and in the classroom and in the community.” Cox will close his coaching career next week in Champaign, Ill., at the doubles portion of the NCAA Tournament with Arkansas’ team of Manfred Jeske and Mike Nott.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Cox said. “I’m still focused on coaching these guys for the NCAA doubles.” Cox said Long will have a choice of top candidates to be the Razorbacks’ next tennis coach.

“This is a premier job and school in the best conference in the country, and we have great facilities,” Cox said.

“You better believe we’ll get some great coaches who want to come here.”At a glance ROBERT COX ARKANSAS TENNIS AGE 56 HOMETOWN Palestine, Texas COLLEGE Arkansas, 1978 POSITION Head coach 2013 RECORD 16-16, 0-13 SEC CAREER RECORD 322-331 in 26 seasons CONFERENCE TITLES Two (1987, 1988 Southwest Conference) NCAA TOURNAMENTS Nine NOTABLE Coached 13 All-Americans, most recently Blake Strode in 2009. ... Coached 23 All-SEC players and seven SWC champions. ... Named the 2004 ITA Central Region Coach of the Year for leading the Razorbacks to a 16-10 finish, a No. 24 final ranking by the ITA and into the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 16 for the first time since 1986.

Sports, Pages 20 on 05/14/2013