For the first time since 2004, Montgomery will have a new face leading its football team this fall.
However, it will be a familiar face for those in Montgomery after the Bears promoted longtime assistant and Class of 2007 Montgomery graduate Grant Cooper to head coach on Thursday morning.
“This is a dream come true for me,” Cooper said. “This school and community have been my home. The teachers, coaches, administrators, and so many others have had a huge influence on my life. To be able to take over and lead this program is such an incredible honor.”
Cooper has been an assistant coach at Montgomery for the past 10 seasons. (Courtesy: @coachcooper_mhs on
Twitter)
Cooper had been the offensive coordinator for the Bears since 2013 and will take over for John Bolfing, who retired back in early April after 17 years at the helm in Montgomery. During his tenure, Bolfing amassed a 113-73 record with 11 playoff appearances.
Montgomery is familiar stomping grounds for Cooper. In addition to spending the past ten years as a coach and teacher at the school, he also starred as a player for the Bears, catching 21 passes for 279 yards as a junior back in 2005 under Bolfing’s lead. In between, he caught four passes for 63 yards as a wide receiver at Hardin-Simmons and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Math Education (2007-2011).
After Montgomery announced Cooper as its new head coach, Bolfing had high praise for his former player that is set to fill his shoes in the coming years for the 5A Division II school located about 50 miles north of Houston.
“[Montgomery ISD] hit a home run with the hire of Grant Cooper as the new HFC/AC at [Montgomery High School],” Bofling said on Twitter on Thursday. “No one will outwork him or be better prepared than him. He will also set a great example for all of his athletes.”
But now, Cooper is tasked with following up Montgomery’s first undefeated regular season since 1989. The Bears followed up their 10-0 regular season by advancing to the area round of playoffs where they were edged 49-42 by Port Neches Grove.
“Last year was a great year for our players and coaches,” Cooper said. “We had a great senior class who exemplified such class and integrity and will be missed.”
And although their starting quarterback, leading rusher, and leading tackler graduated, there is plenty of talent coming up the pipeline. Cooper specifically pointed to last year’s freshman team which finished 9-1 in 2021.
On varsity, the Bears return two of their three leading receivers from last year in Justin Herman (68 catches for 952 yards and 13 touchdowns) and Jaden Williams (26 catches for 346 yards and six touchdowns).
Great first district game win last night against fulshear ,had 4 catches 60 yards and made multiple people miss!!@DelfonteDiamond @coachcooper_mhs @RussMartinFB1 @Coach_Killough @Coach_Patton27 pic.twitter.com/AcTWUAQ7tD
— Justin Herman (@JustinD_Herman) October 1, 2021
Defensively, Mason White (104 total tackles) and Kyler Wilson (2 INTs and 2 forced fumbles) are back to terrorize opposing quarterbacks and receivers from their spot in the secondary. Cooper also expects Bryce Hurta (88 total tackles) to play a key role at linebacker for the team this season.
But with the memories from last year now behind them, Cooper is ready to get to work for the fall with Montgomery’s season opener just over three months away.
“We have a standard of excellence here at Montgomery High School,” Cooper said. “We know that last year is completely in the past, and we are beyond excited about this team.”
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