Cox named URI men’s basketball coach

DAVID COX has been named coach of the University of Rhode Island's men's basketball team. / COURTESY URI
DAVID COX has been named head coach of the University of Rhode Island's men's basketball team. / COURTESY URI

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – David Cox, former associate head coach to Dan Hurley, has been hired as the University of Rhode Island men’s basketball head coach, the URI Department of Athletics announced Wednesday.

“The University of Rhode Island is pleased to name David Cox as the new head coach of our men’s basketball program,” URI President David M. Dooley said in a statement. “David has been an integral part of building our men’s basketball program to where it is today, and with his work ethic and high character, we believe he was the best person to keep us as a premiere team in the Atlantic 10 for years to come.”

The promotion comes after the team’s previous coach, Dan Hurley, took a job as the head coach of the University of Connecticut’s men’s basketball team.

URI noted that Cox was the primary recruiter for the team for three members of the 2018 class.

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“This is an important transition period for our basketball program, and we did our due diligence to make sure we hired the right person for the job,” Rhode Island Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn stated. “David’s professionalism and leadership ability earned him the position. I am thrilled to continue to build the Rhode Island basketball brand by partnering with a wonderful coach, mentor and teacher.”

Cox signed a five-year deal at an annual wage of $700,000. Cox has been assistant coach on the team for four years. Hurley had reportedly been offered $2 million per year for seven years, along with side agreements to include paid charter flights for away games and staff raises.

“This is a dream come true. Navigating the landscape of coaching at the collegiate level has been a long, hard journey,” Cox said. “I was blessed to have made it here four years ago, and to have had the opportunity to work with people like President Dooley and Thorr Bjorn, while building this program to where it is now. I am extremely excited, blessed and humbled to be able to lead this program to new heights.”

A press conference to officially welcome Cox will be held Friday, April 6, at 11 a.m. in the Alumni Lounge of the Ryan Center at the URI campus in South Kingstown.

Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.

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