CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Clarksville Christian President Brad Moser announced the hiring of Chuck Cooper as their next baseball coach.

He will take over the baseball program after they participated in their first-ever variety season. The team played a limited number of games during the 2021-22 season. In addition, Cooper will serve as director of Student and Staff life.

Cooper majored in education and physical education at Freed-Hardeman University, where he also played baseball. When he was part of the team, Cooper realized he wanted to coach during the next phase of his life.

Following graduation, Cooper worked as a graduate assistant for Union University. After that experience he compiled quite the high school coaching resume. Cooper served as the head baseball coach at Jackson Christian for more than a decade before departing in 2020. During that timeframe, the head coach led his program to two TSSAA State Championship victories.

Coaches corner

During 2020-22, Cooper coached baseball for Scotts Hill High School. According to Clarksville Christian’s announcement, he led his team to an overall record of 35-26 and a district championship.

Cooper told Clarksville Now a key part to making the move to Clarksville Christian was for the opportunity to be closer to his family.

“I worked in a environment alongside my family for several years at Jackson Christian,” said Cooper. “I didn’t realize how special that dynamic was until I took a job at Scotts Hill in west Tennessee. The experience I had at Scotts Hill was phenomenal, and I met so many great people, but I wasn’t with my family, which took a toll on me. This opportunity with Clarksville Christian means a lot to me, because we get to be together again in Clarksville.”

Cooper expects to create leaders in his program during his tenure as head coach. He said that begins with taking ownership of responsibilities.

“My leadership philosophy is based around influencing others to be the best version of themselves,” said Cooper. “With that being said, I want to empower them daily so they want to get better themselves as well. If I can make that kind of a difference, I’ll be happy.”

He said there will be several points of emphasis during his first season. It begins with the coach wanting his team to play harder than his opponents. Secondly, the coaching staff will communicate their standards and expectations for players. Thirdly, Cooper wants players and families to understand that team is bigger than self.