Urbana University head women’s basketball coach Haley Ducey on Thursday announced the hiring of Markell Cox as a Blue Knights’ assistant coach. Cox will also serve as the head women’s golf coach at UU.

Cox joins UU after a six-month stint as head women’s basketball coach at Clark State Community College in Springfield. He has also spent time on the bench for Southeastern Illinois College (2013-14) and currently coaches in the Dayton Lady Hoopsters AAU program.

“Markell is a tremendous addition to our staff,” Ducey said. “He has a high level of integrity and energy and will relate well to our student-athletes. His passion and dedication for developing players will be a huge asset to our program.”

While at Southeastern Illinois, Cox helped turn around a program that finished 15-15 last season after going winless in 2013-14. He also picked up valuable coaching experience while serving as an assistant baseball coach for the Falcons.

“I’m very excited to be a part of a program that is growing in the right direction,” Cox said. “Urbana has such storied traditions and I look forward to being a part of them. Also, my goal is to get involved in this great campus and community to help our fan base continue to grow.”

Cox holds a bachelor’s degree in business education and physical education from Middle Tennessee State University, and he is currently pursuing a master’s degree in education at Ohio University.

In addition, Cox is a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). Markell and his wife, Amber, currently reside in Springfield.