– Florida State University has announced the hiring of veteran coach Evan Cooper as the Seminoles’ new safeties coach, head coach Mike
Norvell revealed Saturday. Cooper, a Miami native and alumnus of American Heritage High School, joins FSU after more than a decade of
coaching experience at both the college and NFL levels. He reunites with FSU defensive coordinator Tony White, having worked together
at Nebraska in 2023, and with defensive line coach Terrance Knighton, his former college teammate at Temple and fellow coach with the
Carolina Panthers and at Nebraska. “I’m thrilled to welcome Evan Cooper to the Nole Family,” Norvell said. “It’s exciting to have a Dade County
native back in his home state, bringing valuable experience and expertise to our safeties. Evan will be a key contributor to our defensive staff as
we work to restore the dominant defense that Florida State is known for. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.”
Cooper’s most recent role was with the Nebraska football program, where he served as the defensive passing game coordinator and
secondary coach in 2023. Under his guidance, the Huskers produced four All-Big Ten defensive backs, including Tommi Hill, who led the
conference with 13 passes defended and was among the top players in pass breakups and interceptions. Nebraska’s defense ranked
among the nation’s best in several categories, including passing efficiency (15th), total defense (11th), and scoring defense (13th).
“I’m excited to join the Florida State football program,” Cooper said. “FSU is one of the most prestigious programs in college football, and I’m
eager to work with Coach Norvell and the staff. I look forward to contributing to the legacy of DBU and helping our players reach their full
potential.” Cooper has also served as the Carolina Panthers’ cornerbacks coach and director of player evaluation from 2020-2022,
where his unit played a major role in the NFL’s No. 2-ranked total defense in 2021. That season, Carolina’s pass defense ranked fourth in the
league, holding opponents to just 192.1 passing yards per game. His previous coaching stops include Baylor University, where he played a key
role in the program’s resurgence, including a Sugar Bowl appearance and an 11-3 record in 2019. Cooper’s tenure at Baylor also saw
significant improvement in the Bears’ secondary, with the team ranking fifth nationally in interceptions and among the top 20 in pass
efficiency defense and scoring defense. Cooper began his coaching career at Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale and later worked as
a graduate assistant at Temple. He also served as Temple’s director of player personnel, helping lead the Owls to back-to-back bowl
appearances and an American Athletic Conference title in 2016. A former defensive back at Temple, Cooper earned his bachelor’s degree
in sport and recreational management in 2009. He and his wife, Andisha, have two children, Evan III and Madison.