KICKING COACHES
Jim Cooper, Sr. – Head Coach
A self-taught kicker who began his kicking career in the sixth grade, Coach Cooper kicked for four years at Mainland Regional HS. After setting virtually every kicking record at Mainland, he accepted a full scholarship to Temple University. A three-year starter, Coach Cooper kicked two of the greatest game-winning field goals in Temple's history to beat both the Pitt Panthers and the West Virginia Mountaineers for the first time in the history of Temple's
football program.
Years later, Jim turned down an offer to tryout for the Oakland Raiders due to the impending birth of his daughter. After that, he played briefly with the Atlantic City Cardsharks of the National Indoor Football League. By age 41, Coach Cooper's pro career began and ended in only 3 weeks.
Which led to Jim's real passion – working with young kickers, punters, and long snappers. Coaching at his alma mater MRHS for 21 years alongside his friend Bob Coffey, Cooper consistently developed some of the finest kickers in South Jersey. The highlight of his 21+ year career was coaching his son Jim Cooper Jr, who broke almost every record set by Jim Sr.
ASSISTANT COACHES
Jim Cooper, Jr.
Jim Cooper, Jr.
Jim Cooper, Jr.
Affectionately known as "Coop", Jim Jr. set almost every kicking record for the Mainland Mustangs. A 4-year starter, Coop single-handily won games through incredible accuracy on field goals, monster kickoffs, and
towering punts.
Cooper skillfully kicked four last-second field goals for the Mustangs in "come from behind" wins. Coop was ranke
Affectionately known as "Coop", Jim Jr. set almost every kicking record for the Mainland Mustangs. A 4-year starter, Coop single-handily won games through incredible accuracy on field goals, monster kickoffs, and
towering punts.
Cooper skillfully kicked four last-second field goals for the Mustangs in "come from behind" wins. Coop was ranked #1 placekicker in the country, 2013, by the National Camp Series, and set the record at MRHS with 153 points in a single kicker’s career.
Voted all-state kicker as a junior and senior, he was also nominated to represent the East at the annual Army All American game in San Antonio, Texas. Coop was named all South Jersey placekicker by the Brooks Irvine club in 2012 and 2013. Named All Cape Atlantic kicker each year he played.
After an unbelievable New Jersey state record with 31 career field goals, Coop Jr accepted a full scholarship to Temple University, graduating quickly in three years with a BS in Pre-Health. After Temple, Coop won a scholarship to Wagner College where he was voted Special Teams Player of the Year and honored by the Northeast Conference as the All-Conference kicker.
Joe Fortunato
Jim Cooper, Jr.
Jim Cooper, Jr.
Joe Fortunato played much of his career alongside Cooper Jr and Coach Cooper. Joe was a talented quarterback for the Linwood Panthers.
Joe soon realized another talent: long-snapping - - which would prove to be a new career opposite his dreams of playing quarterback.
His accuracy and speed huge assets, Joe was crucial to the success of the
Joe Fortunato played much of his career alongside Cooper Jr and Coach Cooper. Joe was a talented quarterback for the Linwood Panthers.
Joe soon realized another talent: long-snapping - - which would prove to be a new career opposite his dreams of playing quarterback.
His accuracy and speed huge assets, Joe was crucial to the success of the Mustang field goal and punt teams. After two years snapping, Joe was offered a walk-on opportunity with the Delaware Blue Hens. After winning the punt snapping position, Joe won a full UD scholarship his last two years.
At a University of Delaware special teams camp, former coach Dave Brock introduced Joe as the guy no one knew. "Nobody knew the name Joe Fortunato because he snapped so well for four years, his name was never known!". (The only time the crowd knows the name of the long snapper is when he messes up!)
Joe worked out with both the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts.
Ray Philipp
Jim Cooper, Jr.
Tyler Knighton
Ray is a sophomore long snapper at Rowan University. Playing for Collingswood high school, Ray developed his passion for long snapping as a high school junior.
Working diligently at his craft, Ray made rapidly improved with a goal in mind to play at Rowan University. As a freshman Ray was back up to Paul Rucci and was happy to learn and de
Ray is a sophomore long snapper at Rowan University. Playing for Collingswood high school, Ray developed his passion for long snapping as a high school junior.
Working diligently at his craft, Ray made rapidly improved with a goal in mind to play at Rowan University. As a freshman Ray was back up to Paul Rucci and was happy to learn and develop alongside him.
His season was cut tragically short when Ray tore his ACL in a scrimmage game in August of 2016.
No stranger to pain, loss, and adversity Ray was surgically repaired and is now the starting long snapper for Rowan University football.
Ray has a unique ability to deal with younger children because of his mild temperament and unwavering patience.
Ray is a real asset to the 5 star kicking staff and will continue to make a difference in the lives of those who train under him.
Tyler Knighton
Jim Cooper, Jr.
Tyler Knighton
Tyler came to Rowan University with the hopes of winning the kicking position and having a great career. Tyler has done precisely that & more!
As a true freshman Tyler connected on 12-16 field goal attempts with a long of 42 yards. He also set a rowan university record with four field goals in one game and was named NJAC all-conference 1s
Tyler came to Rowan University with the hopes of winning the kicking position and having a great career. Tyler has done precisely that & more!
As a true freshman Tyler connected on 12-16 field goal attempts with a long of 42 yards. He also set a rowan university record with four field goals in one game and was named NJAC all-conference 1st team and USA college football freshman All American.
Tyler responded with a great soph and junior campaign going 7-10 and 10-13 respectively.
As Tyler wraps up his career in November of 2017, he boasts a career field goal percentage of 75%, connecting on 33-44 field goal attempts in his career.
I have had the unique opportunity to train Tyler for the past four years at Rowan University. He's trained many of the students at 5 Star, and I look forward to him on my staff for many years to come.