Coach Cokinos brings a wealth of football experience from head coach of arena football teams in Washington DC, New Orleans and Atlanta, to international football operations/head coach in Germany, to the collegiate level at UMass, Austin Peay and West Alabama, and most recently special teams and linebackers coach at both Brentwood Academy and Ensworth in Nashville.
His head coaching regular season record is 165-86-1 with an 11-6 post-season record. His teams qualified for the playoffs 13 times, appeared in the semi-finals 7 times, were 5-time conference champions, and twice league champions.
"Knoxville Catholic is a special place and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Fighting Irish football program,” said Cokinos. "There is a solid foundation in place at Catholic and I'm excited to grow a winning culture and build the Fighting Irish into a top performer in Division II-AAA.”
“We’re excited to welcome Coach Cokinos to Catholic High. He has a great understanding of the balance between winning and educating young men and developing lifetime skills. He is highly experienced in football operations, and player development, and he builds programs that personify class and excellence. We look forward to Coach Cokinos leading the Fighting Irish on and off the field. Our student-athletes are fortunate to have him as their head coach,” said Dickie Sompayrac, President of Knoxville Catholic High School.
Bio
ACADEMIC
University of Massachusetts (Boston, MA) – B.S. Physical Education – Elementary and Secondary
Austin Peay University (Clarksville, TN) – Graduate School – Physical Education and Health
ATHLETICS
Professional Experience
• General Manager/Head Coach 2016-2018
Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Arena Football League – Washington, DC
• Director of Football Operations/Head Coach 2014-2015
New Orleans VooDoo, Arena Football League
• General Manager/Head Coach 2014-2007
Georgia Force, Arena Football League – Atlanta, GA
• NFL Pro Personnel Scout 2007-2003
Tennessee Titans, National Football League
• Director of Personnel/Assistant Head Coach
Nashville Kats, Arena Football League
International Experience
• Vice President of Football Operations/Head Coach (*NFLE Developmental) 2001-1995
Munich Cowboys, German Football League
Berlin Adler, German Football League
College Experience
• Defensive Backs Coach
University of West Alabama
• Outside Linebackers Coach
Austin Peay State University
• Running backs/Receivers Coach
University of Massachusetts
High School Experience
• Senior Consultant Defense/Linebacker Coach
Ensworth School, Nashville, TN
• Special Teams Coordinator & Linebackers Coach
Brentwood Academy, Brentwood, TN
Career Highlights & Awards
• Coached Mr. Tennessee Kicker of the Year at Brentwood Academy (2020)
• Coached Two 1st Team All-League LBs at Brentwood Academy (2020)
• Coached D2AA All-Region LB at Ensworth (2022)
• AFL Champion & Coach of the Year (2013)
• Arena Cup Champion (IX) & COY (2008)
• AFL Coaches Advisory Board Member (2010-2012) AFL/af2 Rules & Competition Committee (2005-2012)
• Alabama Sportsman of the Year Finalist (2013)
• AFL South Conference Champions (2x)
• GFL Conference Champions (3x) German National Team Co-Head Coach (1995)
Head Coaching Record
Regular season: 165–86-1
Postseason: 11–6
*2x League Champion
*5x Conference Champion
*7x Play-off Semi Final Appearances
*13x Qualified for Play-offs
