BTW turns to former GSU, Battle Wings QB to run football program
Booker T. Washington principal Crystal Barnes today announced former Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings quarterback Gary Cooper as football coach at the school, replacing Tony Reliford.
Cooper, a 2002 BTW graduate, played collegiately at Grambling State (for Doug Williams) and Mississippi Valley State, serving as team captain at the latter stop. He comes to the Lions from Huntington where he was freshman academy coordinator along with coaching the running backs and tight ends. He was also offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Mansfield from 2017-2021.
“I’m very excited about being named head coach at BTW. That’s home for me and so I have a very personal interest in being there,” Cooper told the USA TODAY Network. “Home is where the heart is, and I plan on winning. But in order to get there, we have to work.”
Barnes said the hiring of Cooper strengthens the future of BTW football on a number of fronts.
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“Bringing home an alumnus is impactful to the students, as well as the faculty and staff,” she said. “It contributes to the process of restoring the legacy and pride in our institution. Football plays a major role in building the culture of the school and I believe we are headed in the right direction having coach Cooper as head coach.
“I am confident that he possesses the skills, the knowledge and the ability to connect with our student-athletes and lead the mighty Lions to an era of greatness and pack our stands with fans once again.”
Prior to Mansfield, Cooper was the offensive coordinator at Richwood and Rayville in the Monroe area. According to his resume, he mentored NFL Draft picks Morris Claiborne and Marquez Stevenson. He played professionally for Battle Wings coach Jon Norris, who is now the defensive coordinator at Brother Martin in New Orleans.
Cooper inherits a Lions’ program that was 1-9 overall, 1-6 in District 1-4A last season, with their only win a 34-32 victory over Bossier.
“The expectations will be high, and we will work our butts off to meet those expectations,” Cooper said. “We have a great school and a great community, and we will do our best to represent them well.”
Jimmy Watson covers Shreveport-Bossier area sports. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Former Grambling quarterback takes over BTW-Shreveport football program
