AC repair inCox, GA

Everyone loves a great success story, but what's most fascinating is the story behind that success.

Conductor Roderick Cox is living one of those great stories.

Raised by a single mom in the musical Mecca of Macon, he had lots of potential, but not a lot of resources.

Just like it takes more than one instrument to make an orchestra, it takes more than just one person to create a great conductor.

Roderick Cox's love of music started early at home and at church.

“Just being surrounded by a lot of music. My mom was in the choir at Bethany Seventh Day Adventist Church and I had to sit in the choir rehearsals, and I very much enjoyed the music coming from the choir loft every, every Saturday morning,” Cox said.

Cox started off on the snare drum in elementary school. He was a part of Central High School's marching band in the early 2000s and eventually moved to the French horn.

“I felt very fortunate to be a part of Macon Public School system when I felt there was a strong emphasis on Macon and music education,” said Cox.

Cox remembers when Zelma Redding with the Otis Redding Foundation agreed to buy him his first French horn for college. Karla Redding-Andrews, Vice President and Executive Director of the foundation and daughter of music legend Otis Redding explains what made Cox special.

“Roderick, what makes him so special is his determination, and he's a lot like my dad -- you can't put him in a box because he's African American, and my dad was that way, like, 'I'm not doing this for color, this is the passion that I have,' and I think that's what my mom saw in him.”

It was in college at Columbus State University in Georgia when Cox the French horn player decided to become Cox the conductor. Cox studied conducting at Northwestern University, graduating in 2011. There, he found more than a love of music -- Cox discovered its power to move the soul and the body.

His studies took him around the world, studying at Oxford University in England, Barcelona, Spain, and the Czech Republic, just to name a few, all with the help of the Otis Redding Foundation.

The basic notes to nurture a dream and everyone playing their part can cascade into a crescendo of success.

Cox said, “I still feel my goal is to make great music, the best music I can at the highest level of my potential, and wherever that takes me -- to a fantastic orchestra -- I have to do it and pursue it and do it 100 percent.”

Cox is currently conducting in Germany. He’s been there since 2018, but he still stays connected with the foundation and is giving back through his Roderick Cox Music Initiative.

“It’s not farfetched to dream big, but a dream has to be backed up through execution and planning, and any dream worth obtaining takes diligent work over time,” said Cox.

He says that you can't do it alone.

"Not just parents, but supporters and different angels come in your life to help you along your path," said Cox.

The Boys & Girls Club in Macon was also instrumental in Cox's development. Leaders there reached out to the Otis Redding Foundation on his behalf.

Karla Redding-Andrews says Cox will be honored with the Zelma and Otis Redding Award of Respect during the Macon Bicentennial Celebration this fall.

You can visit Cox's official website for more information about him.

If you are interested in learning more about and donating to the Roderick Cox Music Initiative, you can also visit their official site.

If you know about the Brenton Cox Jr. controversy involving Georgia fans, you probably know that they were happy to see him not selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Cox was a LB who attended Georgia for one season before transferring to one of the Bulldogs’ biggest rivals in Florida. Cox was dismissed from Florida back in October, but still declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Cox’s hope of playing in the NFL will now have to come from being signed as an undrafted free agent or UDFA for short. Cox played in 11 games for Georgia with 20 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 sack before transferring.

Cox played in eight games for the Gators this season before being dismissed. He accounted for 35 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.

Georgia fans were out in full force on social media. Plenty of sarcasm was on full display. It looks like Georgia fans are still pretty upset about Cox joining the Gators.

One fan said that his favorite pick of the 2023 NFL Draft so far was the fact that Cox was not selected. Some rejoiced that 229 players were chosen after LB Nolan Smith with none of them being Cox.

Here are some of the better reactions to the news:

Where did Brenton Cox Jr. Go in the draft?

— dawgbrave (@KKevin4268) April 30, 2023

One of my favorite picks of this draft so far is Brenton Cox not being picked so far. ????@FloridaGators #GoDawgs

— Michael DeLoach (@Mike_DeLoach54) April 29, 2023

@KirbySmartUGA and @GeorgiaFootball have signed 15 5 Stars who were draft eligible since 2018. Only 3 went undrafted Clay Webb Adam Anderson Brenton Cox

— DawgStats (@DawgStats) April 30, 2023

Brenton Cox not getting drafted wasn’t much of a shocker. He gave up being serious about football a long time ago and became a comedian instead. pic.twitter.com/kbJT5cexRE

— Lance (@SportsGuyLance) April 29, 2023

Brenton Cox still haven’t got drafted yet https://t.co/gOFTdsZlny pic.twitter.com/UH3Zcxcsp1

— 2x National Champion Trey (@Trey2Trigger) April 29, 2023

Robert beal got drafted before Brenton Cox. pic.twitter.com/YMwJaDXN74

— 2x National Champion Trey (@Trey2Trigger) April 29, 2023

Nolan Smith was drafted in the 1st Round. 229 players were drafted after him, and none them were named Brenton Cox.??? https://t.co/WQAIXuKxw5

— Joshua Hammonds??? (@JoshuaHammonds) April 30, 2023

Brenton Cox undrafted?? The fall off Is record breaking

— MJM Nation (@MJMoonShot) April 30, 2023

Is Brenton cox jr that bad

— n d. (@onballsiakam) April 30, 2023

Has anyone seen Brenton Cox Jr. ? Asking for Brenton Cox Jr.

— Jason Pilgrim (@jason_pilgrim) April 29, 2023

@Brenton_cox life hits you fast. Enjoy being undrafted since you shit talk the team that would have had you go first round. ??‍??? pic.twitter.com/3FtJ4vRFuY

— Caleb | ? ? B2B NATIONAL CHAMPION! (@ORIQN_) April 30, 2023

Ain’t heard too much out of Brenton Cox here lately pic.twitter.com/kEo1yJpadW

— Randy Loew (@LoewMan_5) April 30, 2023

Just curious, did anyone see where Brenton Cox was drafted to? ?

— Brutus Beefcake (@DAWGGONEDGD) April 30, 2023

Brenton cox??????

— Milet Stan (@PeronaWorshiper) April 30, 2023

Georgia's former secretary of state started her new role as president of Georgia College this month.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Georgia's former secretary of state started her new role as president of Georgia College this month .

We sat down with Cathy Cox to learn more about her and what her plans for the campus.

Cathy Cox is the 12th President of Georgia College. Her first day on campus was October 1.

On her first day, students and staff welcomed her with open arms.

"It's great to be a Bobcat! Everybody's been so welcoming. It's been so fun to jump into a school year and get to know everybody," Cox said.

From the moment she stepped on campus, the students are what caught her attention.

"I've been so impressed meeting the student here. I am impressed, at their level, I guess, maturity, in appreciating each other," Cox said.

Right now, she's working on a list of goals.

Cox said, "We're working to improve our diversity in our enrollment and that's been a challenge for me."

However, Cox believes her experiences and skill set will serve her and the campus well.

"I'm really glad I had the experience of being a statewide elected official. I know the people who are elected in the state and I have good relationships with some of them, and I hope that will benefit Georgia College in the end, but I am really happy I put politics aside when I moved to higher education," Cox said.

Cox, Georgia's former Secretary of State, also has experience as a journalist, a lawyer, and former dean of Mercer's law school.

"I really decided this was a good fit for my experiences and skill sets. I am just honored the regents in the university system would give me this opportunity," Cox said.

Cox also says she'll be going to listening sessions next, which will help her better understand the strengths and needs of the campus.

A few of Cox's other goals, include: restructuring the university's fundraising efforts, and keeping the graduation rate high.

She plans to ask all areas of the campus, "How do we take everything that we are already doing well, and move that to a higher level?"

Florida has dismissed former Georgia defensive end Brenton Cox, according to a report from Zach Abolverdi of On3. Cox played at Georgia, signing with the Bulldogs as a 5-star prospect in the 2018 class.

Florida coach Billy Napier confirmed the news at his Monday press conference.

“Brenton, we kind of decided to move on here,” Napier said. “I think that being a football player at the University of Florida is a privilege there are certainly expectations that come with that. Obviously, he has done a lot of good things for the University of Florida and we wish him nothing but the best but sometimes you have to make decisions in the best interest of the team. With Brenton, we’re certainly going to do everything in our power to help him.”

BREAKING: Brenton Cox Jr. has been dismissed from the #Gators. https://t.co/heoYZm1lEq | @GatorsOnline pic.twitter.com/XufsKCoGjY

— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) October 31, 2022

Cox transferred to Florida during the 2019 season. Cox did get into it with several Georgia Bulldogs after Georgia went up 42-20, appearing to throw a punch after Kenny McIntosh got into the end zone.

“It’s always good to see Brenton,” Offensive lineman Warren McClendon said. “Even though he chose to leave here and go to Florida, he’s a good player and it was fun going against him.”

Related: Broderick Jones downplays facing Brenton Cox: ‘It’s never about the person you’re going against’

Georgia came away with a 42-20 win over the Gators. Cox came into the game with 2.0 sacks on the season and had a team-high 8.0 tackles for loss.

The Bulldogs racked up 555 yards of offense against Florida on Saturday, rushing for 239 yards in the win. Quarterback Stetson Bennett was not sacked in the win. Cox had two tackles, a pass deflection and a quarterback pressure. The defensive end jumped offside on Brock Bowers’ 29-yard catch in the fourth quarter.

Cox signed with Georgia as a member of the 2018 class out of Stockbridge, Ga. Cox had started every game for Florida this season. Florida is 4-4 this season under first-year coach Billy Napier.

Florida defender Brenton Cox previews game against Florida

The Bulldogs take on Tennessee this week, while Florida plays Texas A&M.

More Georgia football stories from around DawgNation

Welcome to "Around the SEC" where we give you the latest from around the conference and how it impacts the Georgia program.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Brenton Cox Jr. plans to play the game of his life on Saturday when Florida battles Georgia in Jacksonville.

That’s the plan every time the Gators’ 6-foot-3, 252-pound returning sacks leader takes the field.

But this time around it’s a bit different for Cox, whose facing his former program for the third time after transferring prior to the 2019 season.

Florida is more than a three-touchdown underdog to the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs in the 3:30 p.m. game on Saturday at TIAA Bank Field.

But Cox, a former 5-star recruit from Stockbridge, Ga., isn’t conceding anything.

“They are No. 1 for a reason,” Cox said Wednesday night at Florida’s new $85 million Heavener Football Training Center. “We know it will be an interesting game for both sides.”

Georgia coach Kirby Smart has made sure his players know all about Cox.

Smart referred to his former player as a “game breaker” that is “probably the most disruptive guy that we’ve played in terms of just violence, striking, knock-back, setting edges and affecting the quarterback.”

Cox leads the Gators with 8 tackles-for-loss this year, but some Bulldogs’ fans know him best for this Twitter account.

Cox had some fun with his old Georgia friends last August, responding to a UGA offensive line promotional video on Twitter by saying, “Better get ready for me.”

RELATED: Florida sack artist puts Georgia O-Line on notice

“It’s all fun and games,” Cox said. “It’s still a game, it’s not real life. I still have love for those guys, but on the field, it’s going to be real.”

Cox takes part in group chats with many of his former Georgia teammates — some of whom are in the NFL.

Robert Beal, a starting linebacker for UGA who led the Bulldogs in sacks last season, is Cox’s former roommate.

“We talk a lot,” Cox said, before clarifying. “Well, enough — it’s game week, so we can’t really act like we’re all brothers right now. But after the game, we’ll get in better contact.”

pic.twitter.com/TA1QAhyjN1

— Brent Cox Jr. (@brenton_cox_) August 7, 2022

Yes, Cox knows, many of the Bulldogs’ fans view him as a villain, much as they would a professional wrestling heel.

Is there any fun in that?

“Sometimes,” Cox said with a smile. “There’s good and bad to that, the whole fan base knowing me, and they are wishing for our downfall. All you can do is take it with a grain of salt and keep moving.”

The fact is, Cox grew up among such diehard Georgia football fans, he joked that he doesn’t always know who’s on his side.

“My dad, he says he’s a Florida fan, but he’s been a Georgia fan for 18 years,” Cox said. “Is he lying to me? I don’t know.”

Cox has had plenty of contact from friends and family back home this week.

“I actually just got some calls earlier today from my people, they’re still Georgia fans, but they pull for Florida,” Cox said. “It’s kind of hard trying to figure out which side they are on before the game.

“But it’s all good. I’m ready to play. I tell them it’s going to be a show, on both sides.”

Cox is 1-1 against his former school, recording three tackles including a stop behind the line in the Gators’ 44-28 win in 2020.

Last season, Cox had three tackles and a QB hurry in the 34-7 loss to Georgia.

Outside of a 21-point UGA spurt in the final 2 1/2 minutes of the first half last season, Florida essentially played the Bulldogs even.

RELATED: Florida QB Anthony Richardson recalls dreadful debut vs. UGA

Cox said he and his teammates take some confidence from that.

“We pretty much have the same team, as well,” Cox said. “A lot of those guys played last year, so we know what to expect.

“We know how we have to take it to them. We can’t take the first punch, we have to dish it out. That’s the type of mindset we have going into this game.”