Softball staff begins to form with addition of Jodie Cox

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State head softball coach Linda Garza announced the addition of Jodie Cox to the staff as her top assistant on Friday. Cox brings with her extensive coaching and playing experience, including the last four seasons with Garza at UC Riverside. She has coached collegiately for over 12 years, played professionally for the Philadelphia Force and was a standout for Cal State Fullerton.

"Jodie is a proven winner and takes pride in being one of the best student-athlete developers," Garza said. "She has a relentless work ethic and desire for success. Jodie builds quality relationships that today's student-athletes need to promote growth. She understands the pitching legacy Fresno State is known for and welcomes the opportunity to carry it on."

As the associate head coach in 2016 and an assistant coach from 2012-15 for the Highlanders, Cox was the primary pitching instructor and mentored two 20-game winners, the 2015 national leader in saves, and the 2015 Co-Big West Pitcher of the Year with a 30-10 record. In 2015, UC Riverside ranked 14th nationally in ERA (2.13) and saw the program's first no-hitter.

"Fresno State was one of the toughest places to play as a student-athlete, so having the opportunity to now coach here was a no-brainer," Cox said. "The success and tradition are things I want to be a part of. I hope to help elevate this program to the next level and make it the top program in California."

Prior to UCR, Cox spent five years as the head coach at Division III Occidental College in Los Angeles (2007-2012), where she took over a program that won three games the season before her hiring. Cox and company tied the school record for wins in a season in 2009 and broke that record during an 18-win season in 2011.

Before Occidental College, she spent two seasons as an assistant coach at CSUN (2005-07) and one year as an assistant coach at Syracuse (2004-05).

At CSUN, Cox assisted the Matadors to an NCAA Regional berth in 2007.

In her time at Syracuse, Cox helped guide the Orange pitching staff to a 28-22 record, a 2.24 earned run average, 31 complete games, six shutouts and 324 strikeouts in 331 innings pitched. She was also a member of the 2005 Big East Conference Coaching Staff of the Year. Cox would begin her coaching career in 2004 as an undergraduate assistant at Cal State Fullerton prior to graduating with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology.

As a student-athlete, Cox pitched the Titans to four consecutive Big West titles and NCAA Regional appearances. She was named NFCA third-team All-American and Big West Pitcher of the Year as a senior in 2003. Among her other accolades were four selections to the All-Big West team, including three first-team honors, as well as a pair of first-team All-West Region awards (2002, 03).

Cox earned all-conference accolades in each of her four seasons, was a two-time All-West Region honoree, and earned All-America honors following her senior year when she was 21-7 in the circle with a 1.06 ERA and 224 strikeouts in 190.2 innings. Cox held opponents to a .125 batting average and led the Big West Conference in five different categories en route to Co-Big West Pitcher of the Year honors.

For her career, Cox was 75-22 in the circle with a 1.42 ERA and 699 strikeouts—just three short of tying the school record. She held opponents to a .170 batting average and at the time of her graduation, ranked among the top 10 in 10 different career pitching categories for the Titans. Cox tossed seven career no-hitters, including a perfect game against Minnesota in 2001. She also hit .298 at the plate with 21 home runs and 110 RBI in her career.

After her days at Fullerton, Cox played in the Women's Professional Softball League for four years, earning NPF All-Star in 2005 with a .261 batting average, 2.07 ERA, and 12 wins. She was also a member of the 2003 USA Elite National Team, which won the Canada Cup that year. Cox was named MVP of the tournament as she went 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 19 innings of work.

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Softball staff begins to form with addition of Jodie Cox

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