Originally Posted November 13, 2020

Most coaches will agree that for their team to have success, everyone has to buy in and do the work. A victory means that every member of the team did their part. Kelleya Cox says that the success that she and her teams have enjoyed is credited to a lot of different people.

“Being successful has taken dedication and commitment from all aspects; players, coaches, assistant coaches, and family,” she said. “I have been blessed with coaching a lot of players who have gone on and competed at the next level from all three schools and they were dedicated and committed as well. I’ve been able to coach with some of the best assistant coaches you could ever want. And, my athletic directors have always been supportive; always there for the coaches and players.”

Cox is the head softball coach for the McAlester Lady Buffaloes softball team. She is married to her husband, Keith, and they have three children and three grandchildren. 

The people that Cox looked up to as she was growing up have helped her become the coach and person that she is today. “I had a few role models when I was younger,” she said. “My Nannie and my aunt Carole both always believed in me and helped raise me. My biggest role model for the past thirty-one years has been my husband. He almost lost his life and then fought cancer and through it all he was and still is the most positive and kind hearted  person I know.”

Kelleya’s time coaching has allowed her to experience some great moments with her teams. And to say that they have been successful would be an understatement. “Some of the highlights of my coaching career is coaching in the state tournament,” she said. “I’ve been blessed with coaching in the state tournament six times, four times reaching the semifinals and two times the quarterfinals. Those came when I was at Dale and Checotah, but I would love to add McAlester to that list. Most coaches coach a lifetime and never get the opportunity and I have been blessed with six trips.”