Greg Cooper: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
9/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 1, 2006
As the end of practice nears, the Michigan State football team conducts a short scrimmage. With each successful completion or big defensive stop, players gather and celebrate as bragging rights for the day are exchanged - most players that is. One particular player manages to break up a pass play and rather than celebrating, quietly walks away. This happens a few times before the session is over, balls are tipped, knocked down or the coverage is simply too tight for the quarterback to get the receiver the ball. With the intensity rising, the player wearing the No. 29 jersey participates in the occasional high-five or a pat on the back, but doesn't get caught up in the hype.
For those that know Greg Cooper, they will tell you that he is a man of few words. He comes off shy and reserved, but at the same time cool and collected. He doesn't speak up without just cause, and to be in the limelight isn't of his nature. He comes to every workout, every practice and every game, and performs without saying more than a few well-thought-out words. Words, however, are not needed to describe his actions. Greg Cooper's actions speak for themselves.
"Cooper is not a vocal leader," Michigan State secondary coach Chuck Driesbach explains. "He has tremendous respect from his teammates in terms of how he works. To me that is much more important than what he says."
A product of Flint, Mich., Cooper realized at a young age where the prosperities of hard work could lead. High school teammate of current Spartan Matt Trannon, Cooper also attended the same high school that produced MSU All-American Robaire Smith and basketball legends Mateen Cleaves and Antonio Smith. Growing up in a place with such a rich Michigan State tradition, he too wanted to leave his mark at MSU. He was willing to put forth whatever effort was needed to make that happen.
Sidelined by a knee injury for three games early in his freshman campaign, Cooper was determined to get healthy and break through as a free safety on the squad. Appearing in 10 games in 2003, Cooper recorded an interception in his very first game as a Spartan (against Louisiana Tech). By the end of the year, he had earned the starting role at free safety, surfacing at the position for the last three games of the season. In his first career start, Cooper produced a career-high 12 tackles against Wisconsin.
In 2004, Cooper saw action in all 12 games, recording a team-high eight tackles against Hawaii, to go along with two pass deflections. That season, he ranked sixth on the special teams leader list with 137 production points.
As a junior, Cooper started all 11 games at free safety, finishing sixth on the team in tackles with 48 (32 solos, 16 assists). In addition, Cooper ranked eighth on the defensive leaderboard with 52 production points and ninth on the special teams leaderboard with 90 points. His work ethic was undeniable and his character conveyed what words didn't.
As Cooper's final spring season came upon him last March, the quiet leader was approached with the thought of a possible position change. He would be moved from free safety to cornerback, a position he hadn't played since high school.
"It's been a good transition," Cooper says. "Each position requires a different style of play. In playing corner, you are out there by yourself, checking receivers and going one-on-one. Playing safety, you are giving the calls and running all over field doing different things. I had to think back to high school and about how to focus and be comfortable at the corner spot again.
"The coaches have been very encouraging," Cooper adds. "They remind me to be patient and let the game come to me."
Cooper's progression and dedication to the new position is noticed by both the coaching staff and his teammates.
"I think it's a great tribute to Greg, in his senior year, that he has been able to make that position change," Driesbach states. "He has had a great attitude with it and has jumped in with both feet. We were thin in the secondary, and he has a lot of experience playing in the back end. He has shown steady improvement everyday since making the move."
"Greg switching over to corner has helped a lot," senior linebacker David Herron Jr. comments. "We have a lot of young corners and his move brings leadership and depth to that position. He comes out every practice and just gets his work done. Even though he is quiet person, he gets emotional when it's game time."
"I'm not a talkative person, so I try to lead to by example," Cooper attests. "I go out there and compete and try to make everyone better. Playing with these guys is a fun experience that not everyone gets to have. We take care of each other. I try to make the best out of it everyday."
Cooper's values on the football field can be reflected in his schooling. A family community services major, Cooper knows that his hard work and desire to help others will pay off past the gridiron.
"I'm not set on what I want to do yet, but I'm becoming a lot more focused in my senior year," Cooper states. "I will find what I'm looking for."
Cooper certainly has found what he was looking for since arriving in East Lansing from Flint three years ago. A humble leader, he has shown up day in and day out and led by example. When asked to make a position change as a senior he didn't have any reservations. Through hard work and determination, Greg Cooper has quietly emerged as the mainstay of the Spartan secondary - although you would never hear him say that.
By Kristin Keirns, MSU Sports Information intern
