John Cooper is a legendary college football coach who has made a lasting impact in the sports industry with his successful coaching career, impressive earnings, and notable recognitions.
In this article, readers will discover John Cooper’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, career stats, relationships, and more.
John Cooper’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Harold Cooper |
| Date of Birth | July 2, 1937 |
| Age | 88 (as of 2025) |
| Education | Iowa State University |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | Not specified |
| Weight | Not specified |
| Turned Pro | Coach in 1962 |
| Net Worth (2025) | Estimated $6 Million |
| Salary/Career Earnings | Over $20 Million (coaching career) |
| Wife | Helen Cooper |
Early Career
John Cooper grew up in Powell, Tennessee, where he began playing football in high school before moving on to college football at Iowa State University. At Iowa State, Cooper was a team captain and MVP, graduating in 1962 with a degree in physical education.
After briefly serving in the U.S. Army, he started coaching the freshman football team at Iowa State in 1962.
His talent and dedication saw him progress to assistant coaching positions at top universities like Oregon State, UCLA, Kansas, and Kentucky, laying the groundwork for a remarkable career in college football coaching.
Professional Career
Cooper began his head coaching career at the University of Tulsa in 1977, where he won five Missouri Valley Conference titles in eight seasons. He then moved on to coach Arizona State University, where he achieved three consecutive bowl game appearances, including a Rose Bowl win in 1987.
In 1988, Cooper accepted the position of head coach at Ohio State University, where he coached for thirteen seasons, securing the second-most wins in Ohio State history with a record of 111–43–4.
His impressive tenure included conference championships and developing multiple future NFL stars.
Wife
John Cooper’s wife is Helen Cooper, and they have resided in Columbus, Ohio for many years. While Helen has mostly stayed out of the public eye, their relationship has been a cornerstone of support throughout Cooper’s demanding career.
John Cooper’s Net Worth Details
John Cooper’s estimated net worth in 2025 is around $6 million, reflecting decades of coaching success, substantial salary contracts, and media appearances.
Contract
While coaching at Ohio State, Cooper’s contract reached $1.1 million per year, including base salary, bonuses, and other incentives from endorsements with radio, television, Nike, and football camps.
The contract also included academic and team performance bonuses that could boost annual compensation even higher. Throughout his career, renewal clauses allowed him to renegotiate additional terms, reflecting his high value as one of the nation’s top coaches.
Salary
Cooper earned a base salary of $200,000 at Ohio State in his later years, but outside income and incentives brought his annual compensation above $1 million during his highest years as head coach.
In earlier head coaching roles at Tulsa and Arizona State, his pay was less, but career earnings steadily grew with success and recognition.
Career Earnings
| Year | Position | Institution | Salary/Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-2000 | Head Coach | Ohio State Univ. | $1.1M to $1.447M/year |
| 1985-1987 | Head Coach | Arizona State Univ. | Estimated $250K-$400K/year |
| 1977-1984 | Head Coach | Tulsa Univ. | Estimated $100K-$250K/year |
Career Stats
| Team/Position | Years | Record (Overall) | Championships | Bowl Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa (Head Coach) | 1977–1984 | 56–32 | 5 | Multiple |
| Arizona State (HC) | 1985–1987 | 25–9–2 | 1 | Rose Bowl Winner |
| Ohio State (HC) | 1988–2000 | 111–43–4 | 3 | Sugar Bowl Winner, Rose Bowl Winner, others |
| Institution | Years | Conference Titles | Top 25 Finishes | NFL Players Coached |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 1988–2000 | 3 | 12/13 seasons | 20+ |
| Arizona State | 1985–1987 | 1 | 2/3 seasons | 5+ |
| Tulsa | 1977–1984 | 5 | 5/8 seasons | 5+ |
FAQs
1. What was John Cooper’s coaching record at Ohio State?
Cooper won 111 games and lost 43 with four ties during his 13 years as Ohio State’s head football coach. He led the Buckeyes to three Big Ten championships and ten bowl games.
2. What is one of Cooper’s most recognized achievements in college football?
He won the Rose Bowl as a head coach with two different schools: first with Arizona State, then later with Ohio State, making him the first coach in history to do so.
3. How did Cooper influence Ohio State’s football program?
Cooper expanded Ohio State’s recruiting nationally, bringing in players who excelled in both college football and the NFL. His teams finished ranked in the Top 25 nearly every season.
4. What was Cooper’s record in rivalry games against Michigan?
He struggled against Michigan, finishing with a 2-10-1 record in the rivalry. These losses became a major talking point during his career.
5. Why did Cooper leave his position as Ohio State’s head coach?
Ohio State let Cooper go in 2000 after repeated high-profile losses in bowl games and to Michigan, despite his consistent success during regular seasons.
