High School Football Spotlight: Brian Cooper Defensive Coordinator, Paint Valley High School

Coach Brian Cooper- Paint Valley

Defensive Coordinator and Special teams

1) How cool will it be to see the stadium full after last season?

It will be awesome to see a full stadium and to hear crowds again.

2) What was the toughest part of the covid-19 season?

The toughest part was dealing with the restrictions, which includes the previously mentioned reduced crowds and trying make sure all that needed tickets, got them.  

3) Your lines will be young this season how important will it be for them to perform well in the scrimmages and in practice?

With our skill positions gaining experience behind veteran lines last season, we will now rely on them to carry a heavier load while the lines gain the experience. It will be very important for them to get a lot of snaps before our first game.

4) What was the biggest adjustment you had to make as a coach last season with a new head coach?

I had to learn how Coach Dye manages a game and see where I fit in. Fortunately, he allowed me to keep the reigns and make the calls defensively and on special teams. As the season went on, we both gained confidence in one another.

5) What are your thoughts on Thursday Night Games?

I love Thursday night games. It gives us an opportunity to showcase our kids when nobody else is playing and all eyes are on us. We actually open this season on a Thursday night.   

6) What loss in your coaching career still gives you nightmares?

Fredricktown in week 12. 

7) What will you miss most about the 2021 class?

I will miss the personal interactions the most, they were a very fun bunch to be around.

8) As a fan and one who covers high school football games in multiple states each season I have learned that kicking is lacking almost every place I go. As a coach why do you think it will take to turn this area of the game around?

For small schools like us, it is hard to find kids that can kick (we don’t have soccer). All we can do is encourage young kids to kicks and develop that skill early on.

9) Where is the toughest place on the road to get a win?

It is tough to get a win on the road in the playoffs. Regular season, I always remember Minford being a tough place to play, the crowd was on top of you and sidelines were tight.

10) How important is it for the JV squad and the lower-level teams to run the same offense and defense as the varsity?

JV teams should run the same schemes as varsity (talent can limit this). Going down to JR high, as long as the same techniques are being taught, they can adjust to what they need to. As you go down the line to lower levels it becomes more about technique and less about the scheme.