The Green Bay Gamblers have hired Jon Cooper as the team's new head coach and general manager, the fourth in the team's history.
Cooper (pictured) was previously head coach and general manager of the St. Louis Bandits Junior A team of the North American Hockey League. He led the Bandits to NAHL Robertson Cup Championships for two straight seasons in 2007 and 2008. In the process, Cooper was named NAHL Coach of the Year in 2005-06 and 2007-08. In five seasons with the Bandits, Cooper compiled a combined regular season and playoff record of 223-93-17.
In August of 2007, Cooper was head coach of the USA U-17 Ice Hockey Team and led it to the Silver Medal at the 5 Nations Tournament in the Czech Republic. He was also named one of five finalists for the 2007 United States Olympic Committee's Development Coach of the Year.
Prior to joining the Bandits, Cooper was the head coach of the Honeybaked Midget AAA team in Oak Park, Michigan. His squad ranked #1 in the country by U.S. Hockey News, finished the season 67-7-1 and had more wins than any other midget team in the U.S.
Cooper attended Hofstra University in New York where he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration while competing in both hockey and lacrosse. He obtained his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan and in 2003 Cooper closed his law practice in Plymouth, Michigan to make his move to the NAHL.
Cooper takes over a Green Bay team that finished a disappointing 13-41-6 season. He was one of seven candidates interviews for the position, replacing Mark Mazzoleni who was fired in the second half of last season.
Listen / Download – Ron Cooper believes the Gamblers can turn things around now. :23
Listen / Download – Cooper's message to 14 eligible returning players. :23