Piedmont College Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jamie Purdy has announced the addition of Brad Cochran as the new Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach for the Lady Lions. Cochran joins the program which is coming off a 19-7 campaign from 2014-15 and returns the core of the team that made a second straight USA South postseason appearance including the squad’s top two scorers in a pair of senior guards for the 2015-16 season.
“I’m looking forward to Brad joining the program as he is a coach that is familiar with the schools and talent in the local area and surrounding counties,” said Purdy of the new hire. “We have a lot of great student-athletes all around us and I’m excited to have another set of eyes recruiting. Brad has a passion for and a history with player development – we’re eager to get him in the gym to improve individual skills which will in turn make our team more well-rounded and competitive.”
The move will be Cochran’s second taste of coaching in college as he spent the 2012-13 season as a Student Assistant with Shorter University working with the men’s basketball program at the NCAA Division II member institution. Cochran was on board for one of the most magical seasons in the Hawks’ history as the team would go 21-11 on the way to winning the NCCAA National Championship with a 3-point victory in overtime against #3 Oklahoma Christian.
That National Championship team at Shorter saw five players average double figures on the way to the title as Cochran gained experience within a successful college basketball program as a student assistant working under former Head Coach Chad Warner, the winningest coach in the program’s history.
Cochran also brings a wealth of knowledge of the surrounding area’s best high school basketball as he spent the last two seasons with Lakeview Academy in Gainesville, Georgia working as the Assistant Varsity Girls Coach with the high school program.
The coach also spent time working with the Lakeview Boys Varsity program as well serving on staff as an assistant under Hall of Fame Coach Seth Vining. While working on the boys’ coaching staff, Cochran helped the team to a Region Championship and an appearance in the State Tournament in the same season courtesy of a 23-6 overall record. He also mentored one of the Lions’ own in current men’s basketball player Austin Pearson as well.
Prior to joining the staff at Lakeview, Cochran spent the 2007-08 season with Gainesville High School using his own playing days as a local product in the area to now help develop some of the region’s best players.
Before beginning his coaching career, Cochran was a standout player locally having graduated from North Hall High School in 2003. During his senior year, Cochran was named a 1st Team All-Area and All-Region selection after leading his team in field goal percentage and free throw percentage as the squad’s MVP.
From North Hall, Cochran gained a variety of experience as a collegiate player spending his first season at Middle Georgia College in 03-04 before moving on to play another season at Wallace State Community College in Alabama. At Wallace State, Cochran was named a 1st Team selection in the Northern League of the Alabama Community College Conference and earned a spot in the 2006 ACCC All-Star Game as well.
Cochran then finished up his collegiate playing career at what is now the University of North Georgia before testing his talent in the professional realm spending 2009 with Torneo Decembrino in Mexico. The coach finished his career as a 39% shooter from three-point land and was 89% from the charity stripe.
“I am looking forward to this season – Coach Purdy had a good season last year. I am excited to get to work and help her build on that success,” said Cochran of his new position with the program. “I am ready for the transition from coaching at the high school level to the college level. I have always wanted to coach at the college level. I’m very thankful for Coach Purdy and Piedmont for giving me the opportunity to assist in building a winning program.”
Completing his Bachelor of Arts in General Studies from Shorter University in 2013, Cochran will assist Head Coach Jamie Purdy in all facets of the Piedmont College women’s basketball program.
http://piedmontlions.com/news/2015/8/3/WBB_0803155103.aspx
Tagged with: DIII USA South
