Career
In a 32-year career, he served as assistant coach at Vanderbilt, Southern Methodist, Arkansas, Mississippi, Purdue, Pacific, Southern California, Baylor, and Kansas State. During his career, he coached 23 nationally ranked defenses and participated in eight bowl games. A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, he played college football at Carson–Newman College, and was induced posthumously into the Carson-Newman Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.
Cope was an assistant coach at University of Pacific for Chester Caddas in the early "70"son
His only stint as head coach came at Pacific (1983–1988), where he had a 22–46 record. Cope was diagnosed with cancer in September 1996.
He died at Mercy Health Center in Manhattan, Kansas.
