[2] Cocking initially held academic administrative positions in Iowa, Texas, and Missouri.
He then spent five years as professor of school administration at the George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tennessee.
[1] In 1937, Cocking was hired to improve academic standards at the University of Georgia's College of Education.
While there he developed several reforms but had a "brash and domineering style"[citation needed].
After hearing evidence, the Georgia Board of Regents rehired Cocking in an 8-7 vote; this decision infuriated Talmadge, who proceeded to fire and replace any on the Board of Regents who opposed the governor.