The University of Mary Marauders

Van Cooper joined the University of Mary football coaching staff prior to the 2023 season as the special teams coordinator and safties coach.

Prior to UMary, Cooper was the Carroll College Special Teams Coordinator and Secondary Coach in 2022 when the Saints won the 2022 Frontier Conference championship and advanced to the 1^st round appearance in the NAIA playoffs. The secondary finished 11^th in the nation in pass defense, allowing just 159 yards passing per game. CB Zach Spiroff earned 2^nd team all-conference honors. Kicker Spencer Berger was a 1st team All-Conference selection as a freshman.
 
Cooper started his coaching career at his alma mater where he assisted at the University of Montana for two seasons. From 2012-2020, he coached football at the high school level in Arizona before returning to the college ranks in 2021 where he served as the safeties coach and co-special teams coordinator at MSU-Northern. MSU-Northern finished 11^th in the NAIA with 16 interceptions. Isaiah Paul finished 5^th in the nation with 7 interceptions and received 2^nd team All-Frontier Conference recognition.
 
Cooper played football at the collegiate level for the University of Montana from 2003-2007, starting for four conference championship teams and winning the team's Special Teams Player of the year award in 2005. In 2004 Cooper played in the FCS National Championship game.