Radio Rundown: Evan Cooper talks DBs, open-door policy and more on Sports Nightly

Nebraska secondary coach Evan Cooper made a short appearance on Sports Nightly last week. The Husker assistant broke down his outlook on Nebraska’s roster of defensive backs as well as detailing his love for recruiting and great food.

Cooper has stayed alongside Matt Rhule for the past 11 seasons. Most recently, he served as the director of player evaluation and cornerbacks coach with the Carolina Panthers.

Here is a recap of what Cooper had to say.

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Another assistant with deep ties to Rhule

***Meaningful, long-tenured relationships can be found everywhere on Rhule’s coaching staff. Cooper is no exception. The assistant said he has known Rhule since he was 18 years old. Their connection began at Temple when Cooper was a player and grew from there.

Cooper’s coaching career started as a graduate assistant under Rhule with the Owls. He transitioned to a recruiting role soon after and filled that same position at Baylor. Cooper coached the Bears’ secondary as well as a stint with the defensive line before heading to Rhule’s next stop in Carolina.

It comes as no surprise that Cooper is with Rhule at Nebraska, too.

“I was gonna come with coach (Rhule),” Cooper said. “I told coach I’ll follow him anywhere. I was happy it was Nebraska though.”

***Cooper said he expected coaching in the NFL to be way different than college football. What he anticipated was far from what he experienced.

“We’re all grown ups at that point in the NFL,” Cooper said. “They’re mature husbands and fathers. I think I went into it expecting something that it wasn’t.”

Part of the value of his NFL opportunity was a certain realization.

“It’s just about people,” Cooper said. “People want to be better, and if you can help them, they’ll listen to you.”

Meeting DC Tony White

***Defensive coordinator Tony White is the new kid on the block.

“Prior to meeting him last week, I didn’t know him at all,” Cooper said.

In the short time they’ve been together, Cooper said he could tell some things that he and White had in common. White loves football. Solid defensive football to be more specific.

Cooper said White’s defense can force the offense to constantly adjust due to the different fronts and looks at Nebraska’s disposal. Plus, Cooper has worked with three down linemen before at Baylor.

“You can get in and out of fronts, change the box count, that kind of stuff,” Cooper said. “It’s multiple and it’s good.”

Recruiting with Cooper

***In roughly six months, Cooper is about to get a new feather in his recruiting cap. Nebraska’s new $160 million football facilities, located north of Memorial Stadium, will open next summer. It’ll make for a excellent developmental tool, too.

“That place is unbelievable,” Cooper said. “When it’s all done, it is unbelievable. I think it will be among the best in the country. It’s just ridiculous.”

***Cooper echoed college roommate Terrance Knighton’s sentiments on the recruiting power of Nebraska’s brand. It’s strong. Cooper said it gives him a sense of responsibility to deliver for the fanbase.

But, Cooper has a serious duty to those already in his position group. He met with the Husker defensive backs individually throughout his first few days on the job. Cooper said that he and the staff have an “open door policy” with recruits and players. The 35-year-old is easily accessible and likes to check in with his athletes.

“If I was in their hometown, I would text and ask them where to eat,” Cooper said. “Just things like that, let ’em know.”

As far as what he has seen of Nebraska’s secondary on film, there’s a lot to work with.

“I’m excited about what we bring back,” Cooper said of his unit. “We have a pretty talented secondary in my opinion. Again, I’ve seen it at the highest level. I think we have some of those guys.”

***Lastly, Cooper closed his interview with an invitation to the listeners.

“(If there are) any food recommendations, I’m a big foodie,” Cooper said. “I love to eat. So if you’ve got something for me, let me know.”