Former Laker Stephen Cox hired as assistant men’s basketball coach at Mercer
Ex-Clayton State power forward joins Bears’ staff after three-year stint at Santa Fe CC

MORROW, Ga. – August 21, 2007 – Former Clayton State power forward Stephen Cox was hired recently as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Mercer out of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Cox joins head coach Mark Slonaker’s staff at Mercer following a three-year stint at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Fla.

In addition to his coaching duties, Cox will assist with scouting, player development, film exchange and will also coach the Mercer junior varsity team. He becomes the second former Laker player to land a Division I assistant’s position, joining former Clayton State guard Jay Gibbons, who is entering his third season as an assistant coach at Savannah State.

"Stephen Cox has the work ethic that has allowed him to be successful in this business," said Clayton State head coach Gordon Gibbons. "He will be a strong asset to the staff at Mercer."

A native of Peachtree City, Ga., and a product of McIntosh High School, Cox lettered two seasons under Gibbons at Clayton State from 2002-04. He played in 49 games during his Laker career, and helped pace Clayton State to a 22-8 mark in the 2003-04 season.

Prior to signing with Clayton State, Cox was a two-year standout under head coach Scott Moe at Middle Georgia College, where he helped pace the Warriors to the 2002 GJCAA (Georgia Junior College Athletic Association) championship game.

Cox spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach at Santa Fe, helping guide the Saints to two Mid-Florida Conference championships. Last season, Santa Fe claimed the conference title with a 26-5 record, including a 14-1 league mark. In Cox’s first season at Santa Fe, the Saints were ranked as high as fourth in the nation at the junior college level en route to posting a 25-4 mark and a share of a conference crown.