Jermaine Cooper Sr. brings a wealth of coaching experience, a sharp offensive mind, and a strong commitment to player development to the Mercyhurst University Women’s Basketball staff as he begins his first season in Erie, PA.
Cooper joins Mercyhurst from Merrimack College, where he served as the Lead Assistant Coach and played a pivotal role in the program’s success during its transition into the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). In the 2023–24 season, he led post player development and served as the team’s Defensive Coordinator, helping Merrimack finish 2nd in the NEC in rebounding. In the 2024–25 season, he focused on guard development and helped coordinate the team’s offensive strategies. Known for his innovative offensive approach, Cooper was instrumental in the team's system development and game planning. Merrimack capped its first season in the MAAC with a 4th-place finish in the conference tournament, highlighted by Thalia Shepard earning MAAC All-Tournament Team honors. Off the court, the program also excelled academically, finishing 12th in the nation in team G.P.A at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season.
A 2009 graduate of The Ohio State University with a B.A. in Communication and Technology, Cooper began his coaching journey in 2011 with the Ohio Glory Elite Girls’ AAU program, where he served as Associate Head Coach for the 17U team. In this role, he led recruiting efforts and emphasized individual player development.
He went on to join the staff at Binghamton University in 2013, focusing on player development while also serving as the program’s liaison to the student success center. He managed team travel, oversaw practice players and team managers, and coordinated the video exchange program.
In 2014, Cooper accepted the role of Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at PennWest University–Clarion. Over eight seasons he played a vital role in skill development, recruiting, and academic support. His recruiting efforts brought in several key players, including Tyra Polite (All-PSAC West, 2016–17), Keke Messiah (team scoring leader, 2020–21), and Sierra Bermudez (All-PSAC Second Team, 2021–22). He also handled team logistics, organized weekly study halls, and developed detailed scouting reports.
In August 2022, Cooper was named Interim Head Coach at Penn West Clarion, where he led all aspects of the Division II program. During his time, the team's G.P.A improved to 3.64. Which was the highest in the program's history.
He earned a Master of Science in Sport Management from California University of Pennsylvania in 2016.
