POCATELLO, Idaho- Idaho State football coach
Mike Kramer has announced the hiring of
Roger Cooper as the new running backs coach. Cooper replaces Ryan Smaha, who accepted a position at Weber State.
Cooper played for Kramer at Montana State and played in the NFL and NFL Europe from 2005-07. Most recently Cooper spent the 2011 season at Montana State as a graduate assistant coach where he assisted the coaching staff with all functions relations to academic performance, on field development, strength and conditioning and camp organization.
“
Roger Cooper was one of the best players in the history of the Big Sky Conference,” Kramer said. “As a linebacker he was one of the most talented players I have ever coached. He could play any position on offense or defense. His familiarity with the Big Sky Conference and schools in the Pacific Northwest make him a tremendous addition to our staff.”
Prior to serving as the graduate assistant, Cooper was the defensive coordinator at Bozeman High School where his defense was rated number one in the state of Montana at Class AA.
As a player at Montana State, Cooper was a three-time unanimous All-Big Sky linebacker from 2002-04. He was named the Big Sky 2004 Defensive MVP and was nominated for the 2004 Buck Buchanan award. Cooper spent time playing for the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, San Diego Chargers and the Frankfurt Galaxy.
