Cox Announces Retirement from Coaching
12/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan field hockey head coach Nancy Cox announced today (Thursday, Dec. 11) her intentions to retire from coaching after four years at the helm of the Wolverines' nationally ranked program. U-M athletic director Bill Martin stated that a national search will begin immediately.
"It has been a privilege to serve under the watch of Bill Martin, (executive associate AD) Mike Stevenson and (associate AD) Bitsy Ritt," said Cox, "and I am very appreciative to Megan McCallister for believing in me and bringing me on board as head coach four years ago. I am also very appreciative to Marcia [Pankratz] for inviting me across the street after her return from the 1996 Olympics. One of my personal mantras is, 'Leave it better than you found it,' and with this group of returning young women and our experience since August, I think I am leaving it better than I found it.
"Certainly, it has been a privilege to represent the finest university in the country, and I believe that we have the privilege at Michigan to recruit the finest student-athletes in the country. I am forever indebted to the young women who embraced me during the transition from Marcia to Nancy, and it has been a privilege to work with some fine young women who have gone on now to coaching careers, physician careers and attorney careers. That is what Michigan is truly about."
"We are all sad to see Nancy leave," said Martin. "She did such a tremendous job as head coach of this program, and she has long been a well-respected member of the field hockey and Michigan communities. We wish her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors, and we expect to continue seeing her around the department as an avid supporter of the program."
Cox concluded her fourth season as U-M's head coach in November and completed her Michigan coaching career with a 51-36 record, including 16-8 in regular-season Big Ten Conference action. In 2007, Cox guided the Wolverines to the Big Ten title and the program's eighth NCAA Tournament appearance. The 2007 U-M team made a triumphant return to the national event, advancing to the quarterfinal round for the fourth time in five years and second time in Cox's tenure as head coach. The Wolverines captured the outright Big Ten title with a flawless 6-0 conference mark, marking the third time in eight seasons that U-M had accomplished the impressive feat.
Other highlights for Michigan over Cox's four-year tenure include the 2005 Big Ten Tournament title and NCAA quarterfinal appearance as well as victories over perennial powers Connecticut, Old Dominion, Penn State and Iowa.
During Cox's six years as an assistant coach (1999-2004), the Wolverines compiled an impressive 92-32 record while capturing four Big Ten Conference regular-season titles and three Big Ten Tournament titles. Michigan advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each season and solidified its position as a collegiate powerhouse upon capturing the national title in 2001 -- the first by a women's team in the history of Michigan athletics.
Prior to joining the Wolverine staff, Cox served as head coach at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School (1981-98), where she built the program from 20 athletes to more than 100 over her celebrated tenure. Her teams advanced to the state championship game in 13 of her final 14 seasons at the helm and captured the team trophy 11 times, including seven in a row. Amassing a remarkable 228-22-34 record, the Pioneers also produced 12 league titles and three undefeated seasons (1983, '86, '91).
Over the course of her coaching career, Cox has mentored numerous high school and collegiate All-Americans. Her coaching rsum includes involvement with the Futures program since its inception, experience with the U.S. Under-21 and Under-19 teams, and involvement with many U.S. field hockey camps. In 1999, Cox was recognized by the USFHA as the Developmental Coach of the Year.
Contact: Bruce Madej, Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
