Jon Cooper
Jon Cooper is the head football coach at Benedictine University, a position he assumed in 2005 after serving for 19 seasons as an assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach for the Aurora University football program. Under Cooper, Aurora University’s defense has attained several national rankings in various categories, finishing as high as #10 in total defense in 1991, #5 in scoring defense in 1992, #8 in pass efficiency defense in 1992, #4 in rushing defense in 1999, and #17 in total defense in 2002. From 1998-2004, Aurora won four Illini-Badger Football Conference (IBFC) championships, winning 43 of 49 conference games. The 2004 season marked the third time Aurora went to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Cooper, who is also an associate professor in health/physical education at Aurora, served as the head football coach at Dixon High School from 1980- 1985, prior to joining the Aurora’s staff. Before that, he was an assistant at Dixon (1975-1979), Wheaton North (1973-1974), and Proviso East (1972) High Schools.
