Weber State University Athletics
Football
Jake Cookus
- Title:
- Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties/Special Teams
- Email:
- jakecookus@weber.edu
- Phone:
- 801-626-7143
Jake Cookus begins his 7th season on the Wildcat coaching staff and his third year as the Co-Defensive Coordinator. He will once again oversee the successful Wildcat special teams and coach the safeties.
Cookus came to Weber State in 2005, the first year for WSU head coach Ron McBride. He is the only coach on McBride’s original coaching staff still with the Wildcats. Under Cookus’ tutelage, WSU return specialist Bryant Eteuati became the most prolific kick return specialist in the WSU and Big Sky Conference history. Eteuati earned First Team All-Big Sky honors in 2007 as a Return Specialist and was Second Team All-Big Sky as a Special Teams players serving as the holder on place kicks. Eteuati led NCAA Division I FCS in 2007 with All-Purpose Yards averaging 207.5 per game. Eteuati left WSU as the Big Sky and WSU career leader in Punt Returns (117) and Kickoff Returns (100). He is 2nd in career All-Purpose Yards (5,326) for the Wildcats.
Under Cookus, safety Beau Hadley earned First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors in 2008 and Third Team All-America honors. Hadley was also a two-time First Team Academic All-American (CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine).
He also coached returners Tim Toone and Bo Bolen who both earned All-Big Sky honors.
Cookus came to Weber State after spending two seasons as a graduate assistant coach on the University of Kentucky staff under head coach Rick Brooks, and coaching along side coach McBride at Kentucky. While with the Wildcats, Cookus coached the Wildcat defensive backs and worked on a master’s degree in Sports Administration.
A native of Roseburg, Oregon, Cookus was a three-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball. On the gridiron, he played quarterback and defensive back. His senior season, he threw for 1,449 yards and 18 touchdowns, and rushed for 943 yards and 17 more touchdowns. He led his team to a perfect 28-0 record and two state titles his junior and senior seasons. He was named the 1996 Oregon Player of the Year his senior season by USA Today.
After high school, he attended the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, playing quarterback for one season before transferring to Oregon State, where he joined the team as a walk-on in 1998. Playing mainly on special teams for the Beavers, he had four tackles and one recovered fumble.
Because of his dedication and persistence, coach Dennis Erickson awarded Cookus a scholarship his sophomore season. He quickly climbed the depth chart as the number two strong safety. He helped the Beavers to a 7-5 record and an appearance in the Oahu Bowl. It was OSU’s first bowl appearance since 1964.
He saw action in all 12 games of his junior season and was a starter in the last three. Against arch-rival Oregon, he intercepted three passes from Heisman Trophy candidate Joey Harrington, helping the Beavers to a 23-13 victory. Oregon State went on to defeat 10th ranked Notre Dame, 41-9, in the Fiesta Bowl. He graduated from OSU in 2001 with a degree in business finance and a minor in athletic administration.
Following his playing days at OSU, he accepted a position at Southern Oregon University in Ashland where he coached linebackers for coach Jeff Olson. The Raiders advanced to the 2002 NAIA playoffs with an 8-3 record. SOC was ranked 3rd in the nation at one time during the season, the highest ranking in school history.
Cookus came to Weber State in 2005, the first year for WSU head coach Ron McBride. He is the only coach on McBride’s original coaching staff still with the Wildcats. Under Cookus’ tutelage, WSU return specialist Bryant Eteuati became the most prolific kick return specialist in the WSU and Big Sky Conference history. Eteuati earned First Team All-Big Sky honors in 2007 as a Return Specialist and was Second Team All-Big Sky as a Special Teams players serving as the holder on place kicks. Eteuati led NCAA Division I FCS in 2007 with All-Purpose Yards averaging 207.5 per game. Eteuati left WSU as the Big Sky and WSU career leader in Punt Returns (117) and Kickoff Returns (100). He is 2nd in career All-Purpose Yards (5,326) for the Wildcats.
Under Cookus, safety Beau Hadley earned First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors in 2008 and Third Team All-America honors. Hadley was also a two-time First Team Academic All-American (CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine).
He also coached returners Tim Toone and Bo Bolen who both earned All-Big Sky honors.
Cookus came to Weber State after spending two seasons as a graduate assistant coach on the University of Kentucky staff under head coach Rick Brooks, and coaching along side coach McBride at Kentucky. While with the Wildcats, Cookus coached the Wildcat defensive backs and worked on a master’s degree in Sports Administration.
A native of Roseburg, Oregon, Cookus was a three-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball. On the gridiron, he played quarterback and defensive back. His senior season, he threw for 1,449 yards and 18 touchdowns, and rushed for 943 yards and 17 more touchdowns. He led his team to a perfect 28-0 record and two state titles his junior and senior seasons. He was named the 1996 Oregon Player of the Year his senior season by USA Today.
After high school, he attended the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, playing quarterback for one season before transferring to Oregon State, where he joined the team as a walk-on in 1998. Playing mainly on special teams for the Beavers, he had four tackles and one recovered fumble.
Because of his dedication and persistence, coach Dennis Erickson awarded Cookus a scholarship his sophomore season. He quickly climbed the depth chart as the number two strong safety. He helped the Beavers to a 7-5 record and an appearance in the Oahu Bowl. It was OSU’s first bowl appearance since 1964.
He saw action in all 12 games of his junior season and was a starter in the last three. Against arch-rival Oregon, he intercepted three passes from Heisman Trophy candidate Joey Harrington, helping the Beavers to a 23-13 victory. Oregon State went on to defeat 10th ranked Notre Dame, 41-9, in the Fiesta Bowl. He graduated from OSU in 2001 with a degree in business finance and a minor in athletic administration.
Following his playing days at OSU, he accepted a position at Southern Oregon University in Ashland where he coached linebackers for coach Jeff Olson. The Raiders advanced to the 2002 NAIA playoffs with an 8-3 record. SOC was ranked 3rd in the nation at one time during the season, the highest ranking in school history.
Weber State football beats Portland State - 10/18/25
Sunday, October 19
FB - at Portland State - 10/18/25
Sunday, October 19
2025 Weber State Football intro video
Thursday, October 09
2025 Football intro video
Thursday, October 09
