https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqGFKk4-pGA

For Loran Cooley, taking over as Baldwin head football coach is a perfect opportunity.

“I’ve been familiar with Baldwin ever since I’ve started coaching.  The talent level is there.  It was my dream job,” Cooley said.

On Wednesday, the school board hired Cooley to be the next varsity football coach.

Cooley started as an assistant coach for Gateway in 2009 and was promoted as the offensive coordinator in 2012.  He then went to Plum and Clairton as the offensive coordinator.

While at Clairton, he was part of the coaching staff that took the Bears to a WPIAL championship and state runner-up last fall.

Two of the players Cooley coached at Clairton in the fall are headed to Division 1 football teams next year: Lamont Wade is going to Penn State and Noah Hamlin is bound for Cincinnati.

Cooley brings an offensive expertise as he was tops in the state in scoring at every school he has been at.

“We are going to develop a winning attitude, a swagger, through relentless effort, and the score will take care of itself,” Cooley said.

Cooley plans on bringing in experienced coaches.  He plans on having coaches with Division 1 and professional playing experience who want to help athletes get better.

Cooley replaces Pete Wagner after Wagner resigned in January.  In four season, Wagner went 10-27.

Baldwin players seem eager to get to know Cooley.

“Coach Cooley has a lot of winning experience.  I’m excited to build a winning tradition.  I’m excited to get started,” junior Aaron Novak said.