Cooper at Home in Norman


	Senior C Jon Cooper

NORMAN, Okla. -- The idea of being at home is an important feeling for many University of Oklahoma student-athletes. Home is a place in the off-season where they can reconnect to their families and friends, catch a break from the fast-paced daily life of a student-athlete, and volunteer to help out their local communities.

Senior Jon Cooper grew up in Fort Collins, Colo., which is 60 miles north of Denver. His dad, Tom, was his coach from the time he was in first grade to his senior year at Fort Collins High School. It seemed only natural that Cooper played football because his dad played at Missouri from 1972 to 1975. To honor his dad, the younger Cooper has worn his number, 50, for all four years at Oklahoma.

Cooper has been a mainstay on the offensive line for the Sooners. As a true freshman in 2005, he saw significant playing time in the center and guard positions before dislocating his right ankle during the Texas Tech game.

"The injury was tough for him. He battled through a lot of pain during the process," said Tom Cooper about his son's freshman year injury. "He never quit."

To honor his dad, the

younger Cooper has

worn his No. 50 all

four years at OU.

Since the injury Cooper has only missed one start. He is considered one of the best centers in the Big 12 after earning first team All-Big 12 honors from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Associated Press honorable mention All-Big 12 his junior year.

Cooper made a choice early on in his life to commit himself to work hard and be the best football player he could be. A multi-sport athlete through junior high, Cooper made the difficult decision to concentrate on one sport in high school in an effort to reach his goal to make it as a college football player.

Tradition was also a reason why Cooper decided on the University of Oklahoma. Not only did he like what he saw out of past history but also what head coach Bob Stoops had done in his career at Oklahoma.

"What drew Jon to OU was not only the past history but also the more recent history as well," his father said about his son's college choice. "He also chose OU to compete at the highest level."

Another part of Cooper's life that he enjoys and has continued to do throughout his collegiate career is to return home to visit his high school team during a weekend off or during the off-season. During the return trips to his hometown on the weekends, Cooper will visit with the current players at Fort Collins HS before a game or at a practice and talk about the importance of school pride.

"Coach Rice, the head coach, will have me say something before a game and it gets my heart pumping," Cooper said.

Inheriting his father's

passion for football,

Cooper loves studying

and learning different

aspects of the game.

Coaching aspirations have also been on Cooper's mind. Whether it is talking to a high school team before a game, helping out his former high school team when he can during the off-season or seeing what his dad and other coaches do during the season, coaching is a path Cooper plans to pursue after his playing days end.

Inheriting his father's passion for football, Cooper loves studying and learning different aspects of the game. As a human relations major at OU who may pursue his master's degree, Cooper could see himself coaching in the college ranks after he takes a shot at professional football.

Cooper's passion comes as no surprise to his father, who is proud of his son for wanting to follow in his footsteps.

"As a parent, it is always great to see your son play college football. To see it as a coach is outstanding as well," his father praised.

The past four years have been extremely successful for both the University of Oklahoma and Cooper. Cooper and his Sooner teammates on the O-line have been hailed as one of the finest groups in the country the past two years, in part they believe because of the bonds they have built with each other.

"It's the people and

atmosphere that

make me feel like

I'm at home."

When asked about what was the best thing about being around Cooper, fellow offensive lineman Phil Loadholt said, "His knowledge of the game, he knows everything. Playing with him on the line, he is somebody you can ask anything."

What drew Cooper to travel more than 700 miles to come and play college football at the University of Oklahoma was how it reminded him of his home town of Fort Collins.

"It really makes me feel at home because it is a smaller college town," Cooper said. "It's the people and the atmosphere that make me feel like I'm at home."

It is that college-town feel that has Cooper wanting to coach some day at the collegiate level. One thing is for sure -- this will not be the last time we see Jon Cooper on the gridiron.

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Feature by Matt Wilson | OU Athletics Media Relations

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