James Cooper (coach)

James Cooper (born February 12, 1982) is an American baseball coach and former outfielder. He played college baseball for the Grambling State Tigers from 2001 to 2004 before playing professionally from 2004 to 2006. He then served as head coach of the Grambling State Tigers (2010–2021).[1]

James Cooper
Biographical details
Born (1982-02-12) February 12, 1982
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Playing career
2001–2004Grambling State
2004-2005Tri-City ValleyCats
2006Sussex Skyhawks
Position(s)Outfielder
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2007–2009Grambling State (Asst.)
2010–2021Grambling State
Head coaching record
Overall232–329
TournamentsSWAC: 17–18
NCAA: 0–2
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
SWAC champion (2010)
Awards
SWAC Coach of the Year (2010, 2017)

Playing career

Cooper was an outfielder for Grambling, where he earned All-Conference honors and played under longtime head coach Wilbert Ellis. He was drafted in the 33rd round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros. He played two seasons in the Astros system, reaching Class A, and one season of independent baseball in the CanAm League for the Sussex Skyhawks before ending his playing career.[1][2]

Coaching career

Grambling State

Cooper returned to Grambling as an assistant to new head coach Barret Rey. He helped rebuild the Tigers program, qualifying for a pair of Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament appearances in three years. With Rey's departure for SWAC rival Alcorn State, Cooper was elevated to head coach.[3][4] In his first season, Cooper led the Tigers to a SWAC Tournament championship and an appearance in the NCAA Regional. Cooper earned SWAC Coach of the Year honors for his efforts. During the 2019 season, Cooper obtained his 200th victory with a 19–2 win over University of Arkansas Pine Bluff on April 20, 2019.[1][2] On November 9, 2021, Cooper resigned from his position with Grambling State to pursue a job with the New York Yankees.[5]

New York Yankees

On November 10, 2021 Cooper accepted an outfield & baserunning position in the New York Yankees organization.

Head coaching record
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Grambling State Tigers (Southwestern Athletic Conference) (2010–2021)
2010 Grambling State 22–3210–133rd (West) (5)NCAA Regional
2011 Grambling State 23–2615–92nd (West) (5)SWAC tournament
2012 Grambling State 22–2613–113rd (West) (5)SWAC tournament[lower-alpha 1]
2013 Grambling State 18–309–155th (West) (5)
2014 Grambling State 16–3111–134th (West) (5)SWAC tournament[lower-alpha 2]
2015 Grambling State 11–399–204th (West)SWAC tournament[lower-alpha 3]
2016 Grambling State 22–2715–82nd (West)SWAC tournament[lower-alpha 4]
2017 Grambling State 22–3015–91st (West)SWAC tournament[lower-alpha 5]
2018 Grambling State 26–2614–102nd (West)SWAC tournament[lower-alpha 6]
2019 Grambling State 27–2516–82nd (West)SWAC tournament[lower-alpha 7]
2020 Grambling State 6–101–2(West)Season canceled due to COVID-19
2021 Grambling State 17–2712–92nd (West)SWAC tournament
Grambling State: 232–329140–127
Total:232–329

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

  1. The top four teams in each four team division qualified for the SWAC Tournament in 2012.
  2. The top four teams in each four team division qualified for the SWAC Tournament in 2014.
  3. The top four teams in each four team division qualified for the SWAC Tournament in 2015.
  4. The top four teams in each four team division qualified for the SWAC Tournament in 2016.
  5. The top four teams in each four team division qualified for the SWAC Tournament in 2017.
  6. The top four teams in each four team division qualified for the SWAC Tournament in 2018.
  7. The top four teams in each four team division qualified for the SWAC Tournament in 2019.

References
  1. "2012 Baseball Coaching Staff". Grambling State Tigers. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  2. Marq Mitcham (August 16, 2013). "Grambling baseball coach has optimistic outlook". Bastrop Daily Enterprise. Bastrop, Louisiana. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  3. "Grambling State Announces James Cooper as Head Baseball Coach". TSPN Sports. July 18, 2009. Archived from the original on April 20, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  4. Ken Trahan (July 17, 2009). "Grambling chooses James Cooper as baseball coach". SportsNOLA. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  5. Ethan Sands (November 9, 2021). "Grambling State baseball coach James Cooper resigns for coaching position with Yankees". www.thenewsstar.com. USA Today Network. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
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