Jim Bob Cooter


James Robert "Jim Bob" Cooter is an American football coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was previously the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2015 until 2018. He played college football for the University of Tennessee, and has since coached for his alma mater, along with the Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, and Denver Broncos before being hired by the Lions.

Early life and education

Jim Bob Cooter attended Lincoln County High School in Fayetteville, Tennessee, and the University of Tennessee, where he was a backup quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers football team. He appeared in three games for the Volunteers, and was named to the Academic All-Southeastern Conference team.

Coaching career

Tennessee

Cooter served as a graduate assistant for Tennessee in 2007 and 2008.

Indianapolis Colts

Cooter was then hired as an offensive assistant by the Indianapolis Colts, working for them from 2009 through 2011.

Kansas City Chiefs

Cooter was then hired as the offensive quality control coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012.

Denver Broncos

Cooter then joined the Denver Broncos as an offensive assistant in 2013 with the support of Peyton Manning.

Detroit Lions

The Lions hired Cooter as their quarterbacks coach in 2014. After the season, they denied a request of the Chicago Bears, who wanted to interview him for their offensive coordinator position.
The Lions promoted Cooter to offensive coordinator during the 2015 season, after former offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi was fired midseason. He remained the offensive coordinator for the Lions until January 1, 2019, when it was announced that the Lions would not be renewing his contract.

New York Jets

On February 8, 2019, the New York Jets hired Cooter as the running backs coach under new head coach Adam Gase.

Personal life

Cooter is from Fayetteville. He was arrested for driving under the influence in June 2006, and was suspended from the Volunteers as a result. In 2009, he was charged with aggravated burglary after climbing into a window and getting into a woman's bed. The charges were later dropped.