Cocci Named Assistant Coach of Rutgers Track and Field
Aug 15 | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Bob Farrell, Director of Rutgers Track & Field and Cross Country, announced the promotion of Rod Cocci to Assistant Coach of the program. Cocci, who joined the staff as a volunteer assistant in January of 2017, will be the men's and women's throws coach for the Scarlet Knights.
"We are thrilled to have Rod join our staff full time. He's an outstanding mentor and coach who thrives on building great relationships with athletes," said Farrell. "His extensive knowledge and experience will be a huge asset to the program. As a volunteer with limited time on campus, he was able to have such a positive impact on the athletes. Now that we have him full time, we're very excited to watch the throws program go to another level."
During his time at Rutgers, Cocci has coached Jason Campbell and John Mooers to the NCAA Regionals in the discus throw. His guidance also led Campbell to the Big Ten finals in the event, finishing on the podium in seventh place. Both Scarlet Knights own results that are top four all-time the Rutgers record books for the discus. Cocci's role expanded to working with the women in the spring of 2019, helping several of them to their best season ever in only a short time.
Cocci boasts nearly two decades of track and field coaching experience, specializing in throws. A two-time All-Atlantic 10 discus thrower at Fordham, Cocci went on to coach at Arkansas State (2001-03) and Tom River High School North (2004-13) before founding and running the Venom Track Club in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.
"I'm very excited to be a part of the program," said Cocci. "My goal is to turn this throws unit into the powerhouse that it can be."
Cocci has trained Sun Belt Conference champion throwers, 11 New Jersey state sectional champions, an overall New Jersey state champion and seven All-Americans. His USATF-certified Venom Track Club has trained and produced top athletes and place winners from the Big Ten, Ivy League, Atlantic 10, as well as one ACC champion and one NCAA Division III national champion.
Cocci earned a degree in media studies from Fordham before completing a masters in speech communication from Arkansas State. He currently resides in Toms River, New Jersey.
Follow Rutgers men's track & field and cross country on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
"We are thrilled to have Rod join our staff full time. He's an outstanding mentor and coach who thrives on building great relationships with athletes," said Farrell. "His extensive knowledge and experience will be a huge asset to the program. As a volunteer with limited time on campus, he was able to have such a positive impact on the athletes. Now that we have him full time, we're very excited to watch the throws program go to another level."
During his time at Rutgers, Cocci has coached Jason Campbell and John Mooers to the NCAA Regionals in the discus throw. His guidance also led Campbell to the Big Ten finals in the event, finishing on the podium in seventh place. Both Scarlet Knights own results that are top four all-time the Rutgers record books for the discus. Cocci's role expanded to working with the women in the spring of 2019, helping several of them to their best season ever in only a short time.
Cocci boasts nearly two decades of track and field coaching experience, specializing in throws. A two-time All-Atlantic 10 discus thrower at Fordham, Cocci went on to coach at Arkansas State (2001-03) and Tom River High School North (2004-13) before founding and running the Venom Track Club in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.
"I'm very excited to be a part of the program," said Cocci. "My goal is to turn this throws unit into the powerhouse that it can be."
Cocci has trained Sun Belt Conference champion throwers, 11 New Jersey state sectional champions, an overall New Jersey state champion and seven All-Americans. His USATF-certified Venom Track Club has trained and produced top athletes and place winners from the Big Ten, Ivy League, Atlantic 10, as well as one ACC champion and one NCAA Division III national champion.
Cocci earned a degree in media studies from Fordham before completing a masters in speech communication from Arkansas State. He currently resides in Toms River, New Jersey.
Follow Rutgers men's track & field and cross country on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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Throws
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