Miami (Ohio) names Cooper coach

Cooper

MU

OXFORD, Ohio — John Cooper, a Wichita State grad who has been the head coach at Tennessee State the past three seasons, has been named the new head coach at Miami (Ohio).

Athletic director Brad Bates announced the hiring Friday night. Cooper will be formally introduced at a news conference on Monday.

Cooper has served as an assistant at Auburn, Oregon, South Carolina and Fayetteville State. Last year’s Tennessee State squad went 20-13 — the school’s first winning mark since 1995-96 and the Tigers’ first 20-win season in 32 years. Among the victories was a 72-68 upset of then-No. 7 Murray State on Feb. 9.

He takes over for Charlie Coles, who retired after this past season.