Jonathan Cooper, born August 23, 1967, is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey coach and the longest-tenured head coach in the National Hockey League as of the 2023–24 season. The head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Cooper has achieved remarkable success, including back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021, and appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015 and 2022. His coaching journey began humbly in 1999 with Lansing Catholic High School and has with all three tiers of U.S. junior hockey, making him the only coach to win championships at each level. Cooper also led the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals to a Calder Cup victory in 2012. He has earned numerous awards including multiple Coach of the Year awards. A dual citizen of Canada and the U.S. is a native of Prince George, British Columbia.
Jon Cooper parents
Jon Cooper was born to Bob and Christine Cooper in Prince George. Cooper's father Bob established R.J. Cooper Construction the same year Jon was born. His mother Christine is originally from San Francisco, California. Jon has a younger brother Christopher, an oil executive based in Calgary as per Princegeorgecitizen.
Jon was drawn to sports during his early days, especially hockey and lacrosse while attending Spruceland Elementary and Lakewood Junior Secondary schools. Jon has often expressed pride in his Prince George's roots. Christine told Princegeorgecitizen:
“Jon has certainly never hidden the fact he’s from here.”
Bob said in the same interview:
“Wherever he goes, he says he’s from Prince George, British Columbia."
As a teenager, Jon played midget and junior hockey for the Notre Dame Hounds, a stepping stone to a scholarship at Hofstra University in Long Island, New York. While at Hofstra, he excelled in academics and sports, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration and lettering in field lacrosse under John Danowski. Jon humorously described his time at Hofstra as transformative, where he “learned more about life than any playbook could teach.” After graduating from Hofstra, Jon pursued a law degree at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan, where his coaching journey began. He started coaching high school hockey at Lansing Catholic while practicing law.
Christine recalled the excitement of watching Jon’s career blossom, even traveling with Bob and Christopher to see his first NHL game as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2013.
Jon Cooper wife
Jon Cooper has been married to Jessie Cooper since 2005. Jessie plays an active role in their charitable initiatives with Cooper, including Coop's Catch for Kids, an annual fishing tournament they launched in 2016 to support pediatric cancer research and patient services, as per NHL.com.
Jon Cooper kids
Jon and Jessie Cooper have three children: twin daughters, Julia and Josephine, and a son, Jonny. His kids are deeply involved in their dad’s hockey journey. Jonny played for the Tampa Bulls junior team and won a state championship as per Fox 13 News. The kids have grown up in the high-pressure world of hockey but cherish the chance to watch their dad coach the Lightning in person, especially during the Stanley Cup Finals.
“We’re so proud of the team,” Julia said in an interview with Fox 13 News.
FAQs on Jon Cooper wife
A. Jon Cooper has won two Stanley Cup Finals with the Tampa Bay Lightning as the head coach and has been in four Stanley Cup Finals with the team.
A. No, Jon Cooper has not won the Jack Adams Award as of 2025. However, he has been a finalist for the award twice.
A. Yes, Jon Cooper has twin daughters Julia and Josephine.
A. Jon Cooper played hockey in his youth, including high school hockey in Saskatchewan and club hockey at Hofstra University.
