Kenyon College Athletics

John Cox enters his 12th total season as senior assistant tennis coach for the Lords and Ladies. He returned to Kenyon in the 2013-14 season after spending two years as head coach of the men’s tennis team at Vassar College. In those two years, he led the Brewers to a runner-up Liberty League finish in 2012 and a Liberty League championship in 2013. His Vassar teams also made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Prior to taking over at Vassar, Cox worked as Kenyon’s assistant coach for six seasons (2006-2011). During that span, the Lords posted a combined record of 118-34, while the Ladies went 89-41. The Kenyon men won five straight North Coast Athletic Conference championships and made six straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament, where they reached the quarterfinal round three times.

Before his first stop at Kenyon, Cox spent time coaching at the University of South Alabama, working with the Jaguars nationally-ranked Division I men’s tennis team. 

In his own playing days, Cox played No. 1 singles and doubles for Northern State University in his hometown of Aberdeen, South Dakota. He was a two-time District 12 singles and doubles champion, qualifying both years for the NAIA national tournament. He continued his playing career at the professional level, playing two years on the Pro-Penn national circuit. 

Following that run, Cox returned to Northern State to complete his education. He graduated cum laude in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He also coached the women’s tennis team at Northern State for two years and won back-to-back District 12 championships and qualified for NAIA tournaments. In both those seasons, Cox was recognized as the District 12 Coach of the Year.