The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Dilfer Names C.J. Cox as New Safeties Coach
1/23/2024 10:08:00 AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – Head Coach Trent Dilfer has appointed C.J. Cox as the new safeties coach for the UAB football team entering the 2024 season.
"C.J. Cox is yet another outstanding coach we have been fortunate enough to have join our program," Dilfer said. C.J. is an elite teacher of life and football, as well as an accomplished evaluator and recruiter. The Blazers got better with the addition of C.J. Cox to the coaching staff."
A 2023 member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 35 Under 35, Cox joins the Blazers after spending the last three seasons at Kent State. Last season as cornerbacks coach and pass game coordinator under first year head coach Kenni Burns, Cox helped the Golden Flashes improve from 116th in pass defense in 2022 to 50th in 2023. Cox led the development of cornerback Capone Blue who finished fourth in the MAC in passes defended.
In his first season with Kent State (2021), Cox helped the Golden Flashes reach the MAC championship game and his unit finished eighth nationally in interceptions (16), 10th in turnovers gained (25) and saw Elvis Hines earn First Team All-MAC honors. In November, Cox was named interim defensive coordinator and served in that role for the final two regular season games, the MAC championship game and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Prior to Kent State, Cox coached cornerbacks at the University of Montana for three seasons (2018-2020). In 2019, Cox helped the Grizzlies reach the FCS Championship quarterfinals.
Cox spent one year (2017) coaching cornerbacks at Sacramento State, which followed a five-year stint starting his coaching career at his Alma Mater, UNLV.
Following a three-year playing career at UNLV as a running back and linebacker which ended early due to injury, Cox became a student assistant for the 2012 season, and was then a graduate assistant for three years before assuming the role as Director of Player Personnel and Recruiting in 2016.
Cox graduated from UNLV in 2012 with a degree in Political Science and earned a Masters of Public Administration from UNLV in 2015.
Along with his college coaching experience, Cox was also a 2022 and 2023 participant in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship for the Kansas City Chiefs, which uses NFL club's training camps, offseason workout programs and minicamps to give talented coaches opportunities to observe, participate, gain experience and ultimately gain a full-time NFL coaching position.
Cox is married to his wife Madison.
"C.J. Cox is yet another outstanding coach we have been fortunate enough to have join our program," Dilfer said. C.J. is an elite teacher of life and football, as well as an accomplished evaluator and recruiter. The Blazers got better with the addition of C.J. Cox to the coaching staff."
A 2023 member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 35 Under 35, Cox joins the Blazers after spending the last three seasons at Kent State. Last season as cornerbacks coach and pass game coordinator under first year head coach Kenni Burns, Cox helped the Golden Flashes improve from 116th in pass defense in 2022 to 50th in 2023. Cox led the development of cornerback Capone Blue who finished fourth in the MAC in passes defended.
In his first season with Kent State (2021), Cox helped the Golden Flashes reach the MAC championship game and his unit finished eighth nationally in interceptions (16), 10th in turnovers gained (25) and saw Elvis Hines earn First Team All-MAC honors. In November, Cox was named interim defensive coordinator and served in that role for the final two regular season games, the MAC championship game and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Prior to Kent State, Cox coached cornerbacks at the University of Montana for three seasons (2018-2020). In 2019, Cox helped the Grizzlies reach the FCS Championship quarterfinals.
Cox spent one year (2017) coaching cornerbacks at Sacramento State, which followed a five-year stint starting his coaching career at his Alma Mater, UNLV.
Following a three-year playing career at UNLV as a running back and linebacker which ended early due to injury, Cox became a student assistant for the 2012 season, and was then a graduate assistant for three years before assuming the role as Director of Player Personnel and Recruiting in 2016.
Cox graduated from UNLV in 2012 with a degree in Political Science and earned a Masters of Public Administration from UNLV in 2015.
Along with his college coaching experience, Cox was also a 2022 and 2023 participant in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship for the Kansas City Chiefs, which uses NFL club's training camps, offseason workout programs and minicamps to give talented coaches opportunities to observe, participate, gain experience and ultimately gain a full-time NFL coaching position.
Cox is married to his wife Madison.
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