Head coach Matt Insell announced this week that former DCHS Lady Tiger Basketball Coach Joe Pat Cope has joined the coaching staff of the Ole Miss Rebels Women’s Basketball team as a video coordinator.
Cope spent a short period of time serving as the assistant coach for the ladies basketball team at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro before being snatched up by Ole Miss.
“I had been at Murfreesboro Riverdale since June,” Cope told the Review Friday. “I was teaching American History and helping coach. That was a great opportunity. Coach Randy Coffman has a good program, and the girls are expected to win the state this year.”
Bigger things were in the works, however, and Cope recently got a call that changed his path.
“I was sitting at home a couple of weeks ago, and coach Insell called,” Cope said. “He said his video coordinator left to go to Clemson, and asked me if I would be interested in the job. I came down and interviewed and toured the campus, and just fell in love with it down here in Oxford. It’s also a great opportunity to get to the next level.”
Insell said he has known Cope for some time, and looks forward to working with him.
“I am excited to have Coach Cope join our staff,” said Insell. “He's someone I've known and respected for a long time in our game. I couldn't think of anyone more perfect for this role on our staff and I am looking forward to working with him each day”
Cope, who also served as golf and tennis coach and taught World History and Geography at DCHS as well as coaching the Lady Tigers for seven seasons, began his career as assistant boys’ coach at Lebanon High School. He is a two-time graduate of Tennessee Tech with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts.
The Rebels kick off the 2016-17 season on Nov. 11 when they host Southeastern Louisiana at 2:30 pm at The Pavilion at Ole Miss.