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Mike Cox Position: Linebackers Coach Birthdate: 03/12/1965 Experience: 5th year at U of L Alma Mater: Idaho '89

One of six assistants to follow John L. Smith to Louisville from Utah State five seasons ago, Mike Cox heads into his 17th year working with the Cardinals' head coach. Cox, a 14-year veteran of the coaching ranks, is responsible for the Cardinal linebacker corps, a position he also held at his two previous coaching stops.

In his first four seasons at Louisville, Cox has molded the Cardinal linebackers into a deep and battled-tested unit which plays a vital role in defensive coordinator Chris Smeland's multiple blitz package.

Bolstered by Cox's speedy and hard-hitting linebackers, the Cards' defense has led the nation in sacks (96) and ranks second only to 2001 National Champion Miami in interceptions (44) and takeaways (69) while leading U of L to back-to-back Conference USA titles over the last two seasons.

As the mentor of a young Cardinal linebacker corps in 1998 and 1999, Cox watched as Bud Herring earned All-Conference USA honors in '98 and Michael Brown was named a freshman All-American by The Sporting News.

In 2000, Cox saw graduating senior Rashad Harris finish his career among U of L's top 10 all-time tacklers and earn All-Conference USA accolades. U of L's linebackers were a key component of a Cardinal defense which finished the season ranked second nationally with 38 takeaways.

In 2001, the linebackers stepped up to the plate once again as the Cards' defense ranked 10th nationally, allowing only 17.75 points per game. That defense also came up huge in the biggest game of the year as U of L held BYU's record-setting offense to a 21-game low 10 points in the Cards' Liberty Bowl win.

In three seasons at Utah State, Cox tutored a pair of the Aggies' top all-time tacklers including the program's second all-time tackles leader David Gill who totaled 425 in his four seasons. Gill set an Aggie record with 168 total tackles in 1995, Cox's first season with the Utah State staff.

Cox's linebackers were chiefly responsible for the '97 Utah State defense which led the conference in virtually every statistical category and ranked No. 25 nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 115.6 yards per game on the ground.

The 37-year-old Cox moved to Utah State from Idaho where he was a standout linebacker and an eight-year coaching veteran.

As linebackers and defensive line coach, Cox helped Idaho to a combined 73-26 record in eight seasons, including four Big Sky Conference championships and five top 10 national finishes. In his final season at Idaho, Cox's linebackers helped the Vandals lead the Big Sky in rushing defense, allowing just 65.2 yards per game.

A standout linebacker at Idaho from 1983-86, Cox was a four-year letterwinner and a three-year starter for the Vandals, playing for current Oregon State head coach Dennis Erickson and Keith Gilbertson. He still ranks among the Vandals' all-time leaders with 252 career tackles.

A native of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Cox graduated from Idaho in 1989.

Born March 12, 1965 in Spokane, Washington, Cox is married to the former Jill Crapo. They are the parents of a pair of sons -- Zac (2) and Jake (newborn).