Jack Cooper was named the University of Rhode Island’s defensive coordinator two years ago, the most important job of his career. It was his sixth college coaching job, all on defense, beginning in 2013. His other stops were Salve Regina, his alma mater Southern Connecticut, Yale, Central Florida and Nebraska. It’s a typical road map for coaches who make football their life’s work. He’s just starting. Rhode Island head coach Jim Fleming knows about being a football lifer. In his 30 years he coached teams in nine conferences. He’s hired dozens of assistant coaches. He knew what he was getting when he hired Cooper.

“He’s a young, exciting defensive mind who will make an immediate impact on our program,” Fleming said then. “He has coached at all different levels and has been successful each step of the way. We will benefit from his energy and passion for the game.”

Check. The Rams were 7-4 last season, best record since 8-3 in 2001. And to further burnish Cooper’s resume, he was named to the American Football Coaches Association “Top 35 coaches under 35.”

“All the defensive coaches work hard,” said Cooper, 31. “My names on it but I consider it a team award.”

In his three-year career at Berlin High, he got a lasting taste of linebacker when he compiled 268 tackles. And he more than dabbled with offense. He made 224 carries for 1,492 yards in his career.

“I did it because they needed a running back,” Cooper said. “But I always knew I’d end up a linebacker.” He was a two-time captain and two-time New Haven Register All-State linebacker.

At Southern, he was named conference defensive player of the year as a senior when he was team captain. He knows the perils of coaching football. “No one’s safe,” he said of all the firings. “It’s part of the profession. You can’t be stagnant. It used to be you could coach for 20-25 years at one school.”

 His wife Alex is all in despite the moves and 100-hour weeks during the season. “She understands it. She wants me to take it as far as I can.”  There could be a head coaching job in it.