News Summary

Brett Cooper has stepped down as the head football coach at Perry Meridian High School after a five-season tenure. Under his leadership, the team recorded a 14-39 overall record but showed improvements, including a 5-6 record in his final year. The school is now looking to enhance its football program and athletic facilities, including a proposed $9 million stadium renovation, while searching for a new coach to take the team forward.

Perry Meridian Football Coach Steps Down After Five Seasons

In an unexpected turn of events for the Perry Meridian High School football program, head coach Brett Cooper has decided to step down after five seasons at the helm. This news has stirred quite a bit of chatter among students, parents, and fans alike, as change often does in the world of high school sports.

Reflecting on a Rollercoaster Journey

During his time as head coach, Cooper led the Perry Meridian football team to a 14-39 record. While those numbers may not dazzle, it’s important to highlight the strides the team made under his guidance. In his final year, the team notched a 5-6 record, marking their best performance since 2015. It’s a small but significant improvement considering that the last winning season for Perry Meridian was way back in 2003, a time when many current players weren’t even born yet!

Despite some challenges, Cooper’s leadership helped the team improve gradually, with a 2-8 record in the 2023 season compared to just 3 wins in his first two seasons. In 2022, the team made some strides with four victories, showing a glimpse of promise and excitement for what the future could hold. Key wins last season against teams like Franklin, Greenwood, and Mooresville surely gave fans some thrilling moments to remember, even though they unfortunately bowed out in the sectional playoffs against Warren Central.

A Coach with a Broad Perspective

Cooper is not new to coaching; before taking on the challenge at Perry Meridian, he had a successful stint at Indian Creek with a 21-12 record over three seasons. With an overall coaching record standing at 35-51 across eight seasons, Cooper has certainly gained a wealth of experience. He expressed a desire to explore new coaching opportunities that may be waiting for him on the horizon.

As he prepares to step away, he also acknowledged some of the difficulties that come with building momentum in a football program. He pointed out the necessity to find ways to “push the ball over the top,” implying that hard work and persistence are vital to achieving sustainable success.

Future Coupled with Exciting Changes

As Perry Meridian looks ahead, the focus will shift toward improving its football program and athletic facilities. Continuous discussions about enhancing these facilities are already underway, including the exciting prospect of constructing a new stadium that is projected to cost just under $9 million. This ambitious stadium project would be rolled out in three phases, which have many fans buzzing with anticipation.

In addition to the stadium, plans for improving other athletic facilities, including upgrades for soccer and baseball fields, have been estimated to total over $12 million. These improvements aim to not only provide better resources for current athletes but also to attract future talent to the program.

What’s Next for Perry Meridian Football?

As the school community prepares to transition into this new chapter, it’s clear that there are both challenges and opportunities on the horizon. The departure of Brett Cooper opens the door for new coaching endeavors, and potentially a fresh direction for Perry Meridian football. With potential upgrades to facilities and continued community engagement, there’s a spirit of hope that the team can build on the foundation laid during Cooper’s tenure.

In the coming months, it’s going to be interesting to see who takes the helm next and how they can further the development of a program that has faced its ups and downs over the years. One thing is for sure; everyone at Perry Meridian is poised and ready to support whatever comes next in this exciting journey.

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