Mizzou Hall of Famer J’den Cox named USA Wrestling Freestyle Development Coach

Former Missouri Tigers wrestler J’den Cox might have announced his retirement at the U.S. Olympic Trials in April, but the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics bronze medalist and three-time World Champion couldn’t stay away from the mat for too long.

Cox, a three-time national champion in his time as a Tiger (2013-17), was named as the Wrestling Freestyle Development Coach for USA Wrestling on Tuesday.

“I was overjoyed and overcome with emotion,” Cox said in a USA Wrestling news release. “Being able to find this opportunity was overwhelming. It is a great position, and anybody who is somebody should want to be in this position. The legacy that has been building around USA Wrestling, the bar that has been raised in freestyle wrestling, is amazing.

“I am honored to be in a position to help young men develop as people, first and foremost becoming great men, and then as athletes. I am excited to get to work and have an effect on the future of USA Wrestling.”

A graduate of Columbia’s Hickman HS, Cox decided to stay home for his collegiate career and attend Mizzou. He was a four-time state champion in high school. With the Tigers, he became the program’s first three-time national champion, a mark that still stands today, as well as a four-time All-American. He was inducted into the Mizzou Hall of Fame in 2022.

Following his time at Mizzou, Cox earned two bronze World medals (2017, 2021) and a silver (2022) — in addition to gold in 2018 and 2019. He was also a member of two World Championship teams (2017 and 2021).

Cox joins national freestyle coach Bill Zadick and manager of freestyle programs Joe Russell on USA Wrestling’s national freestyle coaching staff.

“It’s my honor to welcome the addition of J’den Cox to the USA Wrestling Men’s Freestyle staff as our national developmental coach,” Zadick said. “J’den will bring a fresh perspective, having (recently been) an athlete, along with an attitude of continued learning. The developmental pipeline is of great importance to our sustained success in USA Wrestling Men’s Freestyle Wrestling.

“I am confident he will adapt to this new role applying his attitude and perspectives to make a positive impact on USA Wrestling’s elite age-group athletes, our resident Olympic Training Center program and the entire USA Wrestling developmental pipeline.”