Ep. 20 Josh Cooperwood | Basketball – The 5th Quarter Podcast with Sandy Adams

Real talk with Josh Cooperwood: We chat about growing up in Nashville and the influence of Memphis on his life and career, his calm demeanor and how it fuels his belief in himself and others. The years in Israel and the pro circuit, his daughter and her role in his 5th quarter start. How he became a women’s coach and what he sees as is his value in the game of basketball.

Cooperwood comes to Memphis after spending last season with Simmons at Gardner-Webb where he helped the team to a 29-5 overall record with a Big South Championship and a perfect 21-0 in conference play.

“Josh is a Memphis, Tennessee native with heavy recruiting ties in the state and surrounding areas,” said Simmons. “Coach Coop loves being on the court and lives in the gym and his ability to develop guards’ individual skill is something that will be immediately impactful in our program.”

Cooperwood made coaching stops at Georgia Southern (2019-20), UL Monroe (2018-19), Mississippi Valley State (2017-18) and NC Central (2016-17). He was a member of the Tennessee State University staff, his alma mater, from 2011-2016. Cooperwood served as the Director of Operations for one season before getting promoted to Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator.

Cooperwood has had stops at Winthrop, Georgia Southern, Louisiana-Monroe, Mississippi Valley State and North Carolina Central as an assistant coach before getting his career start at his alma mater, Tennessee State. Starting out as the Director of Operations during the 2011-12 season, Cooperwood would be promoted to an Assistant Coach in 2012. During his time with TSU, Cooperwood saw the Lady Tigers win the Ohio Valley Conference title in 2015 and make the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 1993-94 season.

In his career, Cooperwood has coached 11 all-conference selections, the 2023 Big South Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year as well as two conference tournament MVPs in Jhessyka Williams (2023, Big South) and Brianna Lawrence (2015, Ohio Valley).

Prior to playing professionally in Europe for nine years, Cooperwood, a standout at Chattanooga State, was named as a TJCAA First Team selection, the TJCAA Player of the Year and earned NJCAA All-American honors in 2001. He would transfer to Tennessee State where he was named to the All-OVC Second Team in 2003.

Following a successful college career, Cooperwood played professionally overseas from 2003-2011 making stops in Iran, Egypt, Kuwait, Croatia, Jordan, Mexico, Lebanon, Israel and Canada.

Cooperwood earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Tennessee State in 2003.

Josh Cooperwood is an Assistant Coach – Memphis Women’s Basketball.

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