Season number two at the University of Dayton marks a decade's worth of Track and Field coaching experience for Assistant Tom Cope.

Cope joined the Flyer staff in the 2006-07 school year after an eight-year stint of indoor and outdoor coaching at both public and parochial high schools in New Jersey.

While in the Garden State, he trained numerous State Champion hurdlers, including first, second and third place finishers in the State Championship meet in the 100 meter hurdles.

A graduate of Belmont High School in Dayton, Ohio, he continued his education at McPherson College (McPherson, Kansas), earning a bachelors degree. Cope is also a certified New Jersey Police Instructor.

It is only fitting that he finds himself back in the city of Dayton, as it is here that his running career began. Cope was the Dayton Relays Hurdler Champion and the city of Dayton's runner-up in 110 meter hurdles. He was a record-holder at Belmont High in both hurdle events. As a collegiate athlete, Cope tops the charts in the High Jump.

Coach Cope lives in Springboro with his wife Debra.