The Buckeyes compiled a 7–5 record, capped by a 26–20 victory over their rival the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor in the regular season finale.

The Buckeyes went on to play in the 2002 Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida, where they lost, 31–28, to the South Carolina Gamecocks.

He came from Youngstown State University where he led the Penguins to four national championships at the Division I-AA level.

The Buckeyes finished the 2000 season with an 8–4 record and Coach Cooper was later fired on January 2, 2001.

[1] Prior to Cooper's firing, the Buckeyes were ranked 23rd in the AP Poll, losing in the 2001 Outback Bowl to the South Carolina Gamecocks by a score of 24–7.