Steve Cooper began his tenure as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in January of 2023.
Prior to joining the Black Bears, Cooper spent five seasons on staff at the University of Nebraska where he served roles as offensive quality control - quarterbacks coach, interim quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator, and a senior offensive analyst. Cooper began his stint at Nebraska as offensive quality control, a role he served from March of 2018 through November of 2021. In that span, Cooper mentored quarterback Adrian Martinez. Under Cooper's guidance, Martinez's 295.1 passing yards per game ranked first among FBS freshmen and 15th overall in the country. His 7,404 total yards marked him fourth highest on Nebraska's all-time list for total yards while his 64.2 completion percentage checked in second in Nebraska history. In 2021, Cooper served as interim quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator where he was responsible for the game plan against Wisconsin and Iowa. During those games, Nebraska averaged 390 yards of offense against a Wisconsin team with the number four ranked total defense and the Hawkeyes, who ranked 13th in total defense.
Before his time at Nebraska, Cooper served eight seasons on staff at Portland State (2010-17), including three seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with the Vikings. In his first-year as coordinator, Portland State produced the second-highest points per game total in school history. Cooper was the wide receivers coach for three seasons (2011-14) at Portland State where he mentored Kasey Closs to an All-Big Sky third team selection as Closs ranked 13th nationally in FCS with 1,167 receiving yards. During the 2013 season, the Vikings ranked third in the FCS at 540.5 yards per game. Cooper began his career at Portland State as the program's tight ends coach for the 2010 season where he worked with All-Big Sky first team selection, Denver Broncos fourth round draft pick, and 2013-14 NFL Pro Bowl selection, Julius Thomas.
As a student-athlete, Cooper spent one season at Oregon State before playing the final three years of his career at Portland State. With the Vikings, he was a two-year varsity letter winner at wide receiver and part of the top-ranked passing offense in FCS for the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
Cooper graduated from Portland State in 2008 with a bachelor of science degree in philosophy.
