[1] Cooper was an outfielder for Grambling, where he earned All-Conference honors and played under longtime head coach Wilbert Ellis.
He helped rebuild the Tigers program, qualifying for a pair of Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament appearances in three years.
With Rey's departure for SWAC rival Alcorn State, Cooper was elevated to head coach.
[1][2] On November 9, 2021, Cooper resigned from his position with Grambling State to pursue a job with the New York Yankees.
On January 26, 2024, Cooper was named manager of the Yankees' Single-A affiliate Tampa Tarpons, replacing Rachel Balkovec.