cooley.html

<HTML>

<HEAD>

<TITLE>Jon Cooley</TITLE>

</HEAD>

<BODY <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF">>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER> THE WAITING GAME </H1>
<H2 ALIGN=CENTER> Backup QB Cooley Stands In Readiness</H2>
<H3 ALIGN=CENTER> by Kevin D. Woods </H3>

<P>
<IMG ALT="Jon Cooley" ALIGN =RIGHT WIDTH=250 HEIGHT=162 BORDER=2 SRC=" pic/cooley.jpg">
You work hard, pushing yourself to the limit everyday. Every moment is spent preparing both mentally and physically.  It is your responsibility to know every aspect of the offense, as well as to possess the skills to execute it. </P>
<P>
As game time rolls around the stadium fills up and excitement fills the air, but when the game begins you find yourself standing on the sideline watching, waiting, ready and, at times, discouraged. </P>
<P>
Such is the lot of a backup quarterback.  Such is the lot of Jon Cooley.  While backups at most positions see considerable playing time and are relied on heavily to provide needed rest for starters, second-string quarterbacks often find themselves standing and watching; many times for the majority of the season--sometimes for a career. </P>
<P>
"Being the backup QB is probably the hardest position on the field," says Cooley, a senior from Sarasota, Fla. "You don't know when you are going to get your chance, but you have to be ready-- you have to be well prepared. If you're not ready then the team loses and you lose--because you may never get another chance." </P>
<P>
Cooley admits that the job is a thankless one, "I've been here going on four years, and I have only done maybe two interviews." </P>
<P>
However, he is fully aware how quickly the tables can turn. "Your one play away from playing, and even though you don't get as many reps in practice, if Dameyune (Craig) goes down, I have to be able to go in there and do the same things he can do--without missing a beat.  I have to make sure that I am prepared, with my reps, the plays, and I have to know where I am going with the ball." </P>
<P>
Cooley, who is now a senior in Mass Communications, originally signed with Coach Terry Bowden at Samford, but it was his intentions all along to transfer to a larger college.   After a redshirt year with the division 1-AA Bulldogs, Cooley found Auburn's doors open, and made the move. </P>
<P>
"It was a big change from Samford to Auburn. From division I-AA to division I-A.  At Samford we had about 500 to 1,000 people show up for a game.  Here you have over 85,000 showing up.  It's just a different level of football." </P>
<P>
For Cooley, it was a move he does not regret. </P>
<P>
"I would not rather be any other place than Auburn.  Just because of the people, my teammates, and the fans." </P>
<P>
However, Cooley admits that it has not been easy, and he has fostered his share of doubts. </P>
<P>
"You're down all of the time, because you want to be playing.  I have been sitting for four years, and haven't played that much. You want to play, you want to start, you want a shot with the first team, but that is something that is the coaches' decision, and you have to play with the hand you are dealt." </P>
<P>
Cooley cannot help but ponder the what if's.  What if he had went somewhere else? What if he had been younger or older?  What if things had worked out different? </P>
<P>
"It's been tough because I could have gone to a lot of other places and played.  I really think I could have played for a lot of division I teams in the country.  Coming out of high school you're all this and all that, and there are all these expectations.  You can't help but wonder if you had gone somewhere else, then maybe I'd have played four years, maybe I'd won a Heisman, or been playing in the NFL or something." </P>
<P>
However, Cooley admits that he can't let such thoughts drive him, "You wonder these things, but you can't live your life wondering," says Cooley, "Everything happens for a reason.  Obviously God didn't want me to play yet.  Maybe this year I will, but if not, it's like I told my parents, "I have received a free education." </P>
<P>
An education the senior, who is scheduled to graduate in the spring, admits he probably would not have received if it had not been for football. </P>
<P>
"If I wasn't on football scholarship at any school, I probably would not be going to college.  I would probably be working somewhere, and I would not have received a college education." </P>
<P>
All in all, Cooley is glad of his decision to come to the Plains. </P>
<P>
"Before I came here, I didn't know anything about Auburn.  I knew that Bo Jackson, Charles Barkley and Frank Thomas played here, but I know nothing about the tradition." </P>
<P>
"Tiger Walk is a great example.  It's overwhelming to see 80,000 plus people just chanting you on.  It's emotional, and it's really something important to the players as well as the fans.  It is something that if you never experience as a player, you can never understand." </P>
<P>
For now Cooley patiently awaits the season and his chance. </P>
<P>
"I have my dreams and aspirations for this season.  It's my last year of football, and I want to go out winning.  I have not played very much, but Lord willing I'll get a chance to play more this season."
As for the future, "If nothing happens with football at a different level, which it may very well not, I plan to graduate, and then I'll probably go into pharmaceutical sales." </P>
<P>
Right now Cooley is busy with his senior season; making sure, if needed, he will be able to step into the spotlight without missing a beat. </P>

<P ALIGN=CENTER><A HREF="./">TABLE OF CONTENTS</A> | <A HREF="../">PROGRAM INDEX</A> | <A HREF="../../index.html">HOME</A></P>

<P ALIGN=CENTER><I>&copy; 1997 Auburn Network, Inc.</I></P>

</BODY>
</HTML>
	<HTML>

	<HEAD>

	<TITLE>Jon Cooley</TITLE>

	</HEAD>

	<BODY <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF">>

	<H1 ALIGN=CENTER> THE WAITING GAME </H1>
	<H2 ALIGN=CENTER> Backup QB Cooley Stands In Readiness</H2>
	<H3 ALIGN=CENTER> by Kevin D. Woods </H3>

	<P>
	<IMG ALT="Jon Cooley" ALIGN =RIGHT WIDTH=250 HEIGHT=162 BORDER=2 SRC=" pic/cooley.jpg">
	You work hard, pushing yourself to the limit everyday. Every moment is spent preparing both mentally and physically. It is your responsibility to know every aspect of the offense, as well as to possess the skills to execute it. </P>
	<P>
	As game time rolls around the stadium fills up and excitement fills the air, but when the game begins you find yourself standing on the sideline watching, waiting, ready and, at times, discouraged. </P>
	<P>
	Such is the lot of a backup quarterback. Such is the lot of Jon Cooley. While backups at most positions see considerable playing time and are relied on heavily to provide needed rest for starters, second-string quarterbacks often find themselves standing and watching; many times for the majority of the season--sometimes for a career. </P>
	<P>
	"Being the backup QB is probably the hardest position on the field," says Cooley, a senior from Sarasota, Fla. "You don't know when you are going to get your chance, but you have to be ready-- you have to be well prepared. If you're not ready then the team loses and you lose--because you may never get another chance." </P>
	<P>
	Cooley admits that the job is a thankless one, "I've been here going on four years, and I have only done maybe two interviews." </P>
	<P>
	However, he is fully aware how quickly the tables can turn. "Your one play away from playing, and even though you don't get as many reps in practice, if Dameyune (Craig) goes down, I have to be able to go in there and do the same things he can do--without missing a beat. I have to make sure that I am prepared, with my reps, the plays, and I have to know where I am going with the ball." </P>
	<P>
	Cooley, who is now a senior in Mass Communications, originally signed with Coach Terry Bowden at Samford, but it was his intentions all along to transfer to a larger college. After a redshirt year with the division 1-AA Bulldogs, Cooley found Auburn's doors open, and made the move. </P>
	<P>
	"It was a big change from Samford to Auburn. From division I-AA to division I-A. At Samford we had about 500 to 1,000 people show up for a game. Here you have over 85,000 showing up. It's just a different level of football." </P>
	<P>
	For Cooley, it was a move he does not regret. </P>
	<P>
	"I would not rather be any other place than Auburn. Just because of the people, my teammates, and the fans." </P>
	<P>
	However, Cooley admits that it has not been easy, and he has fostered his share of doubts. </P>
	<P>
	"You're down all of the time, because you want to be playing. I have been sitting for four years, and haven't played that much. You want to play, you want to start, you want a shot with the first team, but that is something that is the coaches' decision, and you have to play with the hand you are dealt." </P>
	<P>
	Cooley cannot help but ponder the what if's. What if he had went somewhere else? What if he had been younger or older? What if things had worked out different? </P>
	<P>
	"It's been tough because I could have gone to a lot of other places and played. I really think I could have played for a lot of division I teams in the country. Coming out of high school you're all this and all that, and there are all these expectations. You can't help but wonder if you had gone somewhere else, then maybe I'd have played four years, maybe I'd won a Heisman, or been playing in the NFL or something." </P>
	<P>
	However, Cooley admits that he can't let such thoughts drive him, "You wonder these things, but you can't live your life wondering," says Cooley, "Everything happens for a reason. Obviously God didn't want me to play yet. Maybe this year I will, but if not, it's like I told my parents, "I have received a free education." </P>
	<P>
	An education the senior, who is scheduled to graduate in the spring, admits he probably would not have received if it had not been for football. </P>
	<P>
	"If I wasn't on football scholarship at any school, I probably would not be going to college. I would probably be working somewhere, and I would not have received a college education." </P>
	<P>
	All in all, Cooley is glad of his decision to come to the Plains. </P>
	<P>
	"Before I came here, I didn't know anything about Auburn. I knew that Bo Jackson, Charles Barkley and Frank Thomas played here, but I know nothing about the tradition." </P>
	<P>
	"Tiger Walk is a great example. It's overwhelming to see 80,000 plus people just chanting you on. It's emotional, and it's really something important to the players as well as the fans. It is something that if you never experience as a player, you can never understand." </P>
	<P>
	For now Cooley patiently awaits the season and his chance. </P>
	<P>
	"I have my dreams and aspirations for this season. It's my last year of football, and I want to go out winning. I have not played very much, but Lord willing I'll get a chance to play more this season."
	As for the future, "If nothing happens with football at a different level, which it may very well not, I plan to graduate, and then I'll probably go into pharmaceutical sales." </P>
	<P>
	Right now Cooley is busy with his senior season; making sure, if needed, he will be able to step into the spotlight without missing a beat. </P>

	<P ALIGN=CENTER><A HREF="./">TABLE OF CONTENTS</A> \| <A HREF="../">PROGRAM INDEX</A> \| <A HREF="../../index.html">HOME</A></P>

	<P ALIGN=CENTER><I>© 1997 Auburn Network, Inc.</I></P>

	</BODY>
	</HTML>