OGDEN -- Former Weber State University tennis coach Keith Cox, the most successful tennis coach in the history of the Big Sky Conference and one of the most successful in the entire nation, passed away on Wednesday at age 63.
Cox served as coach of the Wildcat men for 29 seasons, and as coach of the Wildcat women for 24 seasons. His combined men's and women's dual record was 697-594.
"Keith's legacy speaks for itself," said current WSU women's tennis head coach Jonas Ehrlin, who produced a hall of fame career under Cox. "He had the ability to bring very good players from all over the world to Weber State and mold them into championship teams. He was a very strong-headed person, but always took time for his players. He was a great player's coach, and his love was Weber State tennis."
He guided the men to 11 Big Sky championships and an overall record of 400-372 in dual matches. His men's teams won seven straight league titles from 1983 to 1989, with Cox earning league coach of the year honors 11 times.
He led the WSU women to 10 Big Sky titles and a dual match mark of 308-234. The Wildcat women's teams won nine out of 10 league titles from 1983 through 1992. Cox was named Big Sky women's coach of the year 10 times.
In 1989, Cox earned District 7 men's coach of the year honors and Central Region women's coach of the year, a first in NCAA collegiate tennis.
Cox's knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport took him to the top of the collegiate tennis world. He served both regionally and nationally, including a four-time chairmanship of the District Seven Tennis Committee, which selects teams and individuals to play in ITA and NCAA tournaments throughout the country. He was a certified U.S.T.P.A. Teaching Professional and a former USTA Intermountain Sectional Men*s Singles champion in the 35 and over division.
Funeral services for Cox, who is survived by wife Connie and three children, will be held on Saturday at Leavitt's Mortuary in Ogden.
WSU men's basketball player Riley Wimblerly died Jan. 14 in Las Vegas. He was 58.
Wimberly played for coach Neil McCarthy in the early 1970s and was a standout rebounder. He worked as a human resources director for Beazer Homes. His funeral is Friday in Las Vegas.
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