John Cooper

John Harold Cooper, born on July 2, 1937, in Powell, Tennessee, carved a notable career in college football as both a player and a head coach. After serving in the United States Army, Cooper attended Iowa State University, where he played football and graduated in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He served as team captain and MVP in 1961. His coaching career began in 1962, holding assistant positions at Iowa State, Oregon State, UCLA, Kansas, and Kentucky, contributing to successful teams that achieved conference titles and bowl appearances.

Cooper’s head coaching career commenced at the University of Tulsa in 1977, where he achieved a 56–32 record and secured five Missouri Valley Conference titles over eight seasons. From 1985 to 1987, he led the Arizona State Sun Devils, guiding them to three consecutive bowl games, including a victory in the 1987 Rose Bowl. In 1988, Cooper moved to Ohio State University, where he coached for 13 seasons, amassing 111 victories and winning shared Big Ten titles in 1993, 1996, and 1998. During his tenure at Ohio State, his teams produced numerous NFL talents, including Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George and Outland Trophy winner Orlando Pace, and secured significant bowl victories, such as the 1997 Rose Bowl and the 1999 Sugar Bowl.

Following his coaching career, Cooper has continued to contribute to football as a scouting consultant for the Cincinnati Bengals and a college football analyst for ESPN. His distinguished career has earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2012. He was also recognized as the Pac-10 Coach of the Year in 1986.