Cohen Takes Baseball Head Coaching Duties at UK
Wednesday, June 25, 2003 | Baseball
University of Florida assistant baseball coach John Cohen has accepted the position of head baseball coach at the University of Kentucky after two seasons in Gainesville. Cohen spent two seasons at Florida as an assistant coach under head coach Pat McMahon.
"I am extremely happy for John and this opportunity for him," said McMahon. "He did an outstanding job and is a very special person to me and this program."
The Wildcats job became open after longtime coach Keith Madison announced his retirement during the 2003 season following 25 years at the helm of the program. Cohen established himself as one of the top assistant coaches in the nation after helping guide the Florida offense to new heights. Cohen becomes one of many assistant coaches who have worked with McMahon and have become head coaches.
"It seems like that Kentucky is the perfect situation for me," said Cohen. "I believe that Mitch Barnhart is a true visionary in college athletics just like Jeremy Foley. There are many challenges that lie ahead at Kentucky but that is part of the excitement of the position."
The last two seasons Cohen's offense has led the Southeastern Conference in 12 team offensive categories. Individually, Cohen has led four different players into the top five in batting average and four into the top five in home runs in the SEC. Both clubs ranked nationally in runs per game as Florida was seventh in 2003 (8.8/gm.) and second in 2002 (9.73/gm.). During his tenure Florida also broke six offensive team school records.
"Working with the Florida staff and coach McMahon at the University of Florida on a daily basis has been one of the greatest experiences of my life," said Cohen. "It has been a dream come true at Florida with the great support of the staff and administration."
This is Cohen's second head coaching position as he previously led Northwestern State to two Southland Conference Championships and a 146-84 record in four years. Cohen is a 1990 graduate of Mississippi State where he played for McMahon who was an assistant coach at the school at that time.
"John made a huge impact on this program and it has been a pleasure working with him," said McMahon. "I want to wish John, his wife Nelle, and his daughters Jordan and Avery the best of luck in Lexington at the University of Kentucky."
For a complete bio on Cohen please click this link - http://www.gatorzone.com/baseball/coaches.php?coach=cohen.html.
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