Jon Cooper, born on August 23, 1976, in Prince George, Canada, had a passion for sports from a young age. He attended Hofstra University as an undergraduate, where he played lacrosse under the guidance of legendary coach John Danowski. Cooper excelled on the field, showcasing his leadership skills and competitive spirit.
After graduating from Hofstra, Cooper pursued a career in law and attended Western Michigan University's law school. He worked as a public defender, using his legal knowledge to help those in need. However, his true passion lay in coaching, and he decided to make a career shift to follow his dreams.
Jon Cooper's coaching journey began when he took over as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning at the end of the 2012-2013 season. He faced the challenging task of leading the team to success after the firing of Guy Boucher. Under his guidance, the Lightning showed remarkable improvement and made it to the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals, where they faced the Chicago Blackhawks.
Although the Lightning ultimately lost the Finals, Cooper's leadership and strategic thinking were widely praised. He became the second coach to lead the team to a Stanley Cup Final, following in the footsteps of John Tortorella, who led the Lightning to victory in 2004.
Off the ice, Jon Cooper is a devoted husband to his wife Jessie and a loving father to their three children. Family is incredibly important to him, and he strives to balance his coaching career with quality time spent with his loved ones.
Jon Cooper is a dual citizen of both the United States and Canada, reflecting his deep connections to both countries. His diverse background and experiences have shaped him into the successful and empathetic coach he is today.