Tommy John Cox, the ScoringLive All-Hawaii Division II Coach of the Year, will return to coach the Kauai football team for the 2014 season.

Cox, who led the Red Raiders to a state runner-up finish last season, met with school principal Debra Lindsey and athletic director Dino Pabre last week after serving as interim head coach in 2013.

"He interviewed with us last week and because of the job that he did last year with meeting our goals not just athletially, but as far as academics as well, we decided to have him continue as our coach permanently," Pabre said. "His vision is in line with our vision and the school's vision."

Cox, a fifth-grade teacher at Kapaa Elementary, said he will retain the same coaching staff for next season.

"It's a relief," Cox said. "Now we can go into the Spring with that weight off of our shoulders. There's no guarantee how long we'll stay but we have some unfinished business to take care, so we'll see what happens."

Kauai completed the 2013 season with a 10-1 record, including a 6-0 mark in the Kauai Interscholastic Federation. The Red Raiders defeated Pearl City and six-time state champ Iolani en route to the title game, where they lost to Kaiser, 17-7.