Jon Cooper is in his first season with Utah State’s football program as a graduate assistant coach for the Aggies’ offense. In his role, Cooper will assist the offensive coaches with daily football operations, primarily working with offensive line coach Mark Weber.
Cooper comes to Utah State after spending the past two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Oklahoma, helping the Sooners compile a 19-7 overall record, including 45-31 victory over Alabama in the 2014 Sugar Bowl.
Prior to joining the staff at Oklahoma, his alma mater, Cooper spent four seasons in the NFL. He spent his first three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, playing in 13 games with one start. In 2010 with the Vikings, Cooper played in 12 games and made his first career start against the Dallas Cowboys at center.
Cooper originally joined the Vikings in 2009 as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma. The native of Fort Collins, Colo., signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2012 and retired after spending one season with the club.
A three-year starter at center for Oklahoma, Cooper was tabbed the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior in 2008 while blocking for Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. During his playing days with the Sooners, Cooper helped lead OU to a 42-12 overall record and spot in the BCS National Championship game as a senior.
After being named OU’s starting center as a sophomore in 2006, Cooper recorded 125 knockdowns during the course of the season, including 18 against Oklahoma State. Cooper led one of the nation's best offensive lines as a junior in 2007, starting all 14 games and logging team highs in plays (798) and knockdowns (136). He had 16 knockdowns against Miami and 15 against Texas A&M.
Cooper, who graduated from Oklahoma in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in human relations, prepped at Fort Collins High School, where he was a three-year starter and letterwinner for the Lambkins. As a senior, Cooper was tabbed the team’s MVP and named the Offensive Player of the Year in the Front Range Conference.