Jake Cookus returns for his second season on the Hawai‘i coaching staff as special teams coordinator in spring 2016, also embarking on his first year under new coach Nick Rolovich.
Cookus began his tenure at UH in 2015 as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach. In his first year with the program, the kickoff return unit showed dramatic improvement, climbing from a ranking of 102nd (2014) nationally to 59th in 2015, averaging 21.32 yards per return. In addition, the late signing of junior college multi-purpose kicker Rigoberto Sanchez proved crucial in replacing UH’s record-setting punter, Scott Harding.
In 2015, with Sanchez punting for the Warriors, UH ranked sixth nationally in net punting on a 41.51 yards per punt average, improving from 10th in the previous season. Assuming kickoff duties mid-season, Sanchez proved to be one of only five athletes in NCAA DI FBS to handle all four kicking duties. Under Cookus’ guidance, Sanchez was named to the Ray Guy Award watch list and earned RGA Punter of the Week, ranking second in the Mountain West and ninth nationally in punting with an average of 45.1 yards on 74 punts—the fourth-best UH single season average on record—Cookus’ kicking unit was also sound with Sanchez as placekicker, connecting on 8-of-11 field goals and 23-of-24 extra points.
Under Cookus’ tutelage, UH extended its streak without a blocked punt, but didn’t spare opponents the same luxury. UH knocked down two kicks, including a 26-yard touchdown recovery by Dejaun Butler against UC Davis, and a first quarter block and recovery by Keelan Ewaliko to set up UH’s first score of the year in the win over Colorado.
Cookus arrived in Honolulu from Missoula, Mont., where his post had been co-special teams coordinator and safeties coach for the Montana Grizzlies over the past two seasons. UM finished the 2014 season ranked No. 13 in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The Griz have advanced to the semifinal of the NCAA FCS Playoffs each of the last two years, aided by Cookus’ special teams units, which topped out with national rankings of 17th in the FCS in net punting, 33rd in punt returns and 45th in kickoff returns.
Cookus came to UM from Weber State, where he served as the special teams coordinator from 2005-11, and was elevated to co-defensive coordinator from 2009-11. He also worked with the safeties and cornerbacks. In his stint with the Wildcats, he was responsible for all areas of the special teams, and in his final three seasons he oversaw all aspects of defensive play-calling, game preparation, and game planning.
Prior to his position at WSU, Cookus served as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Kentucky, where he worked with the safeties, was involved in recruiting and coordinated scout team offense and special teams.
Cookus began his coaching career in 2002, guiding the outside linebackers at Southern Oregon University. That year, he also served as a track and field coach at Corvallis High School (Oregon) as an assistant coach.
A native of Roseburg, Ore., Cookus played football at Oregon State, where he was a team captain and honorable mention all-Pac-10 selection as a senior in 2001. He was also a Strength and Conditioning All-American as a senior, earning four letters while playing for the Beavers.
A quarterback and defensive back at Roseburg High School, he was a three-sport standout, lettering in football, basketball, and baseball. His senior season, he threw for 1,449 yards and 18 touchdowns, and rushed for 943 yards and 17 TDs. He led his prep teams to a 28-0 record and two state titles his junior and senior seasons. He also was named Oregon’s 1996 Player of the Year by USA Today.
Cookus graduated from OSU in 2002 with a degree in business finance and a minor in athletic administration. He is single.
The Cookus File
Years at UH: 2nd season
Hometown: Roseburg, Ore.
Alma Mater: Oregon State (2002)
Playing Experience
1998-2001, Oregon State
Coaching Experience
2015-Present: Hawai‘i: Assistant (Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends)
2013-14: Montana: Assistant (Co-Special Teams Coordinator/Safeties)
2005-11: Weber State:
*2009-11: Assistant (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties/Cornerbacks)
*2005-11: Assistant (Special Teams Coordinator/Safeties/Cornerbacks)
2003-04: Kentucky: Graduate Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
2002: Southern Oregon: Assistant (Outside Linebackers)
