Cochran begins his 11th year at Prairie View and third year as the department’s Academic Enhancement Coordinator.
A native of Chicago, Ill., Cochran played tennis for Texas Southern University from 1982-86 and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in philosophy. After his graduation, Cochran moved to North Hollywood, Calif. and served as a residential counselor for at-risk youth at the Ettie Lee Homes for Youth. In 1998, Cochran returned to Houston and has worked for respected agencies such as Houston Independent School District, H.L. Yoh Information Technology Associates and Texas Educational Foundation before accepting a position at Prairie View A&M in 2000.
Cochran was on the inaugural staff of Prairie View A&M’s University College in 2000 as an academic advisor. As an advisor, he was responsible for providing incoming freshman academic support in addition to helping them transition into higher education.
In 2004, Cochran joined the Prairie View athletic department as the University College Professional Advisor for Athletics and served as a liaison between University College and the athletic department for all first-time, full-time freshman athletes. In addition, Cochran also offered advising to non-freshmen athletes with undecided majors.
In 2008, Cochran accepted the position of academic enhancement coordinator at Prairie View A&M. As the academic enhancement coordinator, Cochran provides student-athletes an academic support program designed to help them meet the challenge of accommodating both athletic and academic demands.
While serving as an academic liaison for the university, Cochran is also in his 10th year as Prairie View’s head men’s and women’s tennis coach. After assuming the duties in 2002, Cochran quickly put his stamp on the program and guided the men’s team to the finals of the 2004 SWAC Tennis Championships. After placing second overall in 2004, Cochran’s team returned to the court in 2005 and captured its first SWAC title in 35 years along with earning a berth in the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championships. In 2007, Cochran came within a step of achieving the feat once again as both the men’s and women’s teams advanced to the finals of the SWAC Tennis Championships. Three years later in 2010, Cochran returned to the mountaintop as his men’s team won the 2010 SWAC Tennis Championship and advanced to its second-ever NCAA Men’s Tennis Championships versus Texas A&M in College Station, Texas.
A renowned motivational speaker, Cochran is married to the former Adrienne Burley of Houston. They have three children, Joshua (16), John (14) and Gabrielle (10). He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
