At Mississippi Valley State, Cooley coached the tandem of Willie Totten and Jerry Rice, future College Football Hall of Fame quarterback and wide receiver, respectively.
Cooley began his coaching career at Southside High School in Heidelberg, Mississippi, where he worked for seven years.
Cooley led the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils to their only Division I-AA playoff appearance in 1984.
The 1984 Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils football team set different passing, receiving, and scoring records that featured Jerry Rice and quarterback Willie Totten.
The school was experiencing financial and accreditation issues and its administration decided to drop the football program after the 2006 season.