Ron Cooper up for challenge as defensive coordinator

FIU Football HelmetPhoto by PantherNOW

Peter Holland // Staff Writer

With less than 50 days away from FIU’s opening night against Indiana University, newly hired defensive coordinator, Ron Cooper has to prepare for this season with his young, unproven defense.

Training camp begins Aug. 1, and Cooper has to find new starters to replace top defensive leaders, including both former defensive ends and sack leaders, Michael Wakefield and Denzel Perine, and former starting cornerbacks, Richard Leonard and Jeremiah McKinnon. Cooper, however, seems unfazed by the challenge.

Cooper said: “It’s tough to replace those guys, but that’s a part of football. I’m confident in the team we have now, and the players that we recruited from junior college. Once we get them on the field and set them up for success, the weakness of the position will soon turn to the strength for us.”

Fortunately for Cooper, who coached the secondary team last season, he will coach the linebackers as well. Defense is led by tackling leader and All Conference USA player, Anthony Wint.

“I’m excited to work with the linebackers, and we are expecting a lot from them,” Cooper said. “We need guys like Wint to lead this defense and getting the guys lined up.”

Cooper will be going into his second season as an assistant coach under head coach, Ron Turner and his fourth defensive coordinator position in his 30-year coaching career. He will replace Matt House, who accepted a coaching position at University of Kentucky, after one season.

Last year, the Panthers were ranked No. 76 in total defense. Despite recording only nine interceptions, they recorded 51 pass defended and 42 pass break ups, which is ranked sixth in school history.

The Panthers’ first two games will be home against two teams from the Big 10 conference. Their first game is on Thursday, Sept. 1 against Indiana University; they face University of Maryland the following week on Friday, Sept. 9.

“I don’t want to look toward the future of how we do this season,” Cooper said. “Right now our main focus is on Indiana.

These first two games could be a challenge for FIU since the team is seeking its first winning season under Turner. Indiana and Maryland may not be top-ranked teams in the Big 10 conference. Both teams, however, will still provide Big 10 talent that plays.

“We have a whole month of camp to prepare for them and we’re going to play fast,” Cooper said. “That’s what Florida is known for, and that’s how we’re going to play throughout the season.”

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