Remembering Coach Willie Cox
6/7/2019 1:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Mizzou Women's Basketball lost a dear member of its family, as Director of Recruiting Willie Cox passed away on Thursday, June 6, at the age 64. Cox had worked with Mizzou head coach Robin Pingeton since 2003 in numerous capacities, beginning with Coach Pingeton's stint at Illinois State. Coach Cox impacted the lives of countless individuals over his coaching career which spanned four decades, and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Juanita, his three daughters, Cassandra, Tamara and Anissa, and four grandchildren, Alandrea, Brian, Charleston and Chanceton.
A native of Dixmoor, Ill., Cox was a three-sport athlete for Rich Tradition Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Ill., playing football, basketball and baseball where he helped lead his teams to the playoffs each season. After his high school career, Cox headed to Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. While in Atchison, Cox was a member of the Ravens basketball and baseball teams, and he boasted a .347 batting average. After two seasons, Cox transferred to Bradley to finish his degree.
Cox started his coaching career at his alma mater, Bradley, during the 1980s. While on the men's basketball staff for the Braves, Cox coached future NBA stars Hersey Hawkins and Jim Les. Cox worked with the Braves for seven seasons beginning in the 1982-83 campaign, assisting the team to a winning record in all but one season. During the 1985-86 season, Cox helped guide the Braves to a 32-3 overall record and a 16-0 record in conference play. His Braves closed out their year in the second round of the NCAA Championship. With that trip to the Big Dance under his belt, Cox worked with the Braves to make another appearance at the NCAA Championship in the 1987-88 season. With Cox's direction, the Braves finished 26-5 overall and 12-2 in conference play.
He then spent 1989-93 as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team at Loyola Chicago. After his time with the Ramblers, Cox returned to Peoria to work with girls basketball. In 1996, he led his 14-under and 16-under teams to American Youth Basketball Tournament national titles.
Cox then became the head coach of the Peoria Central High School girls basketball team and established Push the Rock, a successful girls amateur basketball program in Peoria. He led Peoria Central to the 2000 and 2001 Illinois High School Association State Tournaments and earned Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year honors both those years. During his time at Peoria Central and Push the Rock, seven of his players earned college scholarships.
Cox then joined Coach Pingeton as an assistant coach at Illinois State in 2003. During his seven years on the Redbird sidelines, Cox helped the program establish itself as a force to be reckoned with. Illinois State - which had not had a winning season since 1997 - accomplished the feat six of the seven years Cox was an assistant. Cox also helped ISU to three Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season titles and five postseason berths, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament (2004-05 and 2007-08) and three WNIT appearances.
When Pingeton took the Mizzou job in the summer of 2010, Cox followed her to Columbia, where he has played a large part in the reinvigoration of the Missouri Women's Basketball program. With Cox's assistance, The Tigers have recorded six consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1983-90. In 2018-19, Mizzou earned its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, the first time Mizzou has reached the Big Dance in three straight seasons since 1983-86.
My heart is heavy as we mourn the loss of an incredible friend, coach, father, husband, and mentor to all! He impacted so many lives including my own. Forever grateful for him and his friendship. So special in so many ways! ?? https://t.co/8VNWRoVPnF
— Robin Pingeton (@CoachPingeton) June 7, 2019
An incredible person who was consistent in all facets of life EVERY day no matter the circumstances. EVERY TIME I go recruiting everyone asks about him. Learned EVERY day from him and legacy is lifetime. Fighter and blessed our paths crossed. Love u and will miss u dearly https://t.co/hSXlKZTwae
— Jenny Putnam (@MizzouCoachPut) June 7, 2019
how lucky are we to have been so greatly impacted by a man of great faith, perseverance, positivity, and love! Coach Cox is one of God's strongest soldiers who will be missed. All my love to someone I model my life off of. ?? https://t.co/zhGpWQvHSi
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) June 7, 2019
The epitome of strength, resiliency, perseverance, grit, toughness, love, & faith. A cornerstone for @MizzouWBB. My heart is heavy, but I know he heard the words, "well done, good and faithful servant" LOUD & CLEAR!!
— Lauren Aldridge (@LaurenAldridge3) June 7, 2019
I'll miss you. https://t.co/uQuCUXHpqS
Genuine & Loyal, he was known by many & loved by all!?? Such a hard day for our @MizzouWBB family! God gained one heck of an angel ?????? https://t.co/RiQAS8bwWS
— Lindsey Cunningham (@Lbreezzyy) June 7, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Willie Cox and the @MizzouWBB program. What a great life he lived with an example of courage for all of us to learn from. He will be missed but his legacy will live on in the student-athletes he impacted. pic.twitter.com/8mApM5W8GK
— Gary Blair (@CoachGaryBlair) June 7, 2019
Our thoughts & prayers are with the @MizzouWBB family. https://t.co/VOShjmkRLq
— Auburn Women's Basketball (@AuburnWBB) June 7, 2019
You're in our thoughts @MizzouWBB https://t.co/I13xPmu9RC
— Vanderbilt Women's Basketball (@VandyWBB) June 7, 2019
