MISSOULA — New Montana head coach Bobby Hauck moved one step closer to completing his football coaching staff on Wednesday.
The first week of January, Skyline Sports confirmed through one source that C.J. Cox was expected to be hired as the cornerbacks coach at UM. On Wednesday, the now former Sacramento State confirmed his hiring at Montana, changing his Twitter profile to read “@CoachCox_Griz – University of Montana – cornerbacks coach.” Cox also changed his banner to a photo of Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
Skyline Sports confirmed the pending hire through a second source shortly after on Wednesday morning.
Cox spent one season at Sac State on the staff of Big Sky Conference co-Coach of the Year Jody Sears. Sac State snared 14 interceptions, the fifth-best total in the league. The Hornets also led the league in sacks with 43. SSU ranked in the middle of the Big Sky pack in scoring defense (29.7 ppg, 6th), total defense (408 yards per game, 4th), rush defense (154.6 ypg), and pass defense (253.4 ypg).
Under Cox’s tutelage, junior Dre Terrell led the league with five interceptions on the way to earning third-team All-Big Sky honors.
UNLV Rebels head coach Bobby Hauck/ Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Cox and Hauck have ties that date back to the beginning of the decade. The Garland, Texas native earned a three-star rating as a prep senior safety in 2008. He held offers from Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Rice and Fresno State before choosing to come to UNLV to play for Mike Sanford.
Hauck took over at UNLV in 2010. Cox first broke onto the field as a running back, totaling 420 yards on the ground before switching to linebacker in 2011. He spent 2012 as an undergraduate assistant on Hauck’s staff while earning his bachelor’s degree in political science.
Cox spent 2013 and 2014 as a graduate assistant on Hauck’s staff before Hauck’s resignation.
Cox stayed on with Tony Sanchez’s hiring to finish his master’s degree at his alma mater in 2015. In 2016, Sanchez appointed Cox as UNLV’s recruiting coordinator and director of player personnel.
The hiring coupled with the additions of Brent Pease, Barry Sacks and Kent Baer to the staff last week means Hauck has one spot — tight ends — left on his staff.
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