Irish go far, wide to hire new football head coach
What about the experience level of Dean Cokinos, announced last week as Knoxville Catholic High School’s new varsity football head coach? It’s a long list.
He’s a former NFL personnel scout (from 2003 to 2007) with the Tennessee Titans, a head coach of arena football teams in Washington D.C., New Orleans and Atlanta, while also an international football operations and head coach in Germany.
On the college level, Cokinos has coached at the University of Massachusetts, Austin Peay and West Alabama — and most recently was special teams and linebackers coach at Brentwood Academy and Ensworth High School in Nashville.
“Knoxville Catholic is a special place, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Fighting Irish football program,” said Cokinos, whose overall head coaching regular season record is 165-86-1, with an 11-6 post-season record. His teams qualified for the playoffs 13 times, were five-time conference champions and twice league champions.
Cokinos “has a solid understanding of the balance between winning and educating young men and developing lifetime skills,” said Dickie Sompayrac, KCHS president.
“He is highly experienced in football operations and player development, and he builds programs that personify class and excellence.”
