Cornell University Athletics

Recruiting Areas: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Upstate New York (including Syracuse), Southern Ohio

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Brian Coon enters his sixth season on the Big Red coaching staff and his fifth as assistant offensive coordinator. He will work with the running backs for the second year after four years with the offensive linemen. His tutelage produced eight All-Ivy offensive line selections in four seasons, while helping direct one of the most effective rushing offenses in the FCS. 

Coon assisted in the development of first-team All-American and sixth-round NFL Draft pick Kevin Boothe ‘06, a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection in each of his final two seasons while working with Coon. Eric Miller ‘07 and Ted Sonnenberg ‘08 earned All-Ivy honors twice, while Brian McGuire ‘08 and two-time All-Ivy honoree Steve Valenta have also helped anchor one of the top lines in the Ancient Eight . Over that span, Cornell has averaged more than 18 rushing touchdowns per season.

Coon’s talented line helped Cornell finish 10th nationally in rushing (248.6 ypg.) in 2005 and protected two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season for the first time in school history and the second time ever in the Ivy League. The success came despite the fact that three starters had never taken a varsity snap prior to 2005. The 2006 squad also ranked among the top 25 rushing offenses nationally despite the loss of both Boothe and first-team All-Ivy quarterback Ryan Kuhn, a 1,000-yard rusher.

Coon served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Kalamazoo College for the previous six years before coming to Cornell. His offenses averaged 31.5 points and 385.5 yards per game over his final three seasons, and he coached the school’s all-time career leaders in passing, receiving and rushing. 

The Watervliet, Mich., native coached at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Ind., from March 1995 to July 1998. During his tenure, the Pumas were ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation in rushing offense (299.7 ypg.) and No. 9 in scoring offense (36.7 ppg.). Coon also served as quarterbacks, defensive backs and special teams coach and was recruiting coordinator at St. Joseph’s. 

Coon served as a graduate assistant coach at Western Michigan from 1993-95 and received a master’s degree in athletic administration from WMU in 1997. 

A 1992 graduate of Albion College, he earned a degree in communications and exercise science. Coon was a four-year letter winner as an outside linebacker for the Britons. He was also named the squad’s Special Teams Player of the Year as a senior. 

Coon and his wife, Heather, reside in Freeville with their two children, Alexis and TJ.

*Updated July 1, 2009

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