Kenneth Cox, a deacon, public servant and nationally recognized coach, recently announced his candidacy to serve on the Hoover city council.

The city of Hoover is not split into districts, so the city council is elected at large, which means all seven council members represent the entirety of the city. Cox has not yet announced which place he is seeking. The municipal election for Hoover city council is on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025.

“I’m running for Hoover city council to build a stronger, more connected community where every voice is heard,” Cox said in a statement. “Hoover deserves leadership that prioritizes opportunity, safety, and growth for all its residents.”

Cox has spent more than 20 years working as a coach, administrator and mentor.

He was the associate athletic director and head cross country and track and field coach at Birmingham-Southern College, where he led teams to seven NCAA Division III national titles and earned induction into the BSC Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.

Cox was also the former president of the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, where he shaped policies to advance the sport.

He is the vice chair of Leadership Hoover, resource development chair for the Boys & Girls Club of Central Alabama and a board member of the Hoover Parks & Recreation Foundation and Downtown Redevelopment Authority.

He also serves as senior games manager for the 2025 World Police & Fire Games.

Cox has an MBA from Faulkner University, a bachelor of arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an honorary doctorate in philosophy from Trinity International University of Ambassadors.

He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and the 100 Black Men of America Metro Birmingham Chapter.

A native of North Carolina, Cox resides in Hoover with his wife, Leesha Ellis-Cox, and their three children, Bailey, Khloe, and Evan. They are members of The Worship Center Christian Church where Cox serves as a deacon.

“I’ve spent my life bringing people together and delivering results; now, I’m ready to serve our city with that same dedication and vision,” Cox said in a statement.