Jason Cooper has resigned as the Head Coach of the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens to embark on a new role as the Girl’s Athletic Coordinator and Head Girls Basketball Coach at Frenship Memorial High School.
“As I step down from my role as Head Coach of the Flying. Queens, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible support and kindness my family and I have received as we embark on this new journey. Coaching the Flying Queens has truly been one of the greatest blessings of my life,” Cooper expressed.
On June 17th, 2021, Wayland Baptist University named Jason Cooper the 14th head coach in Flying Queens history. In his four seasons at the helm, Cooper compiled a 103-29 overall record and a 72-18 record in Sooner Athletic Conference play.
“Jason Cooper was a remarkable coach, standing among some of the very best in the long and storied history of the Flying Queens program,” said Wayland Baptist Director of Athletics Jim Giacomazzi.
Giacomazzi continued, “His leadership, dedication, and passion for the game have left a lasting legacy. Jason not only upheld the tradition of excellence that defines this program, but also inspired and uplifted the student-athletes he mentored. We are grateful for his contributions and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.”
Cooper took the Flying Queens to the NAIA National Tournament in all four seasons, including a Round of 16 appearance during the 2021-22 season. He coached three NAIA All-Americans (Kaylee Edgemon, Jenna Cooper-Jackson, Megan Nestor), two Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Year award winners (Edgemon and Nestor), and 10 NAIA Scholar Athletes award recipients.
During the 2024-25 season, the Flying Queens compiled a 26-5 overall record and a 21-3 record in Sooner Athletic Conference play. The Queens qualified for the 2025 NAIA Women’s Basketball Championships as a 7-seed and secured 72-63 Opening Round win over Carroll College (Mont.).
Although Cooper began leading the Flying Queens four seasons ago, his history with the Flying Queens and Wayland Baptist University goes back to 1997.
A native of Crandall, Texas, Cooper played two seasons for the Pioneer Men’s Basketball team where he won SAC All-Conference honors, NAIA Scholar Athlete recognition, and the Roscoe Snyder Award as Wayland Baptist’s most outstanding male athlete.
Cooper, who earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at WBU, joined Johnna Pointer’s staff as a Graduate Assistant for the Flying Queens. He served on the bench for the final two of her seven seasons as head coach, guiding the Flying Queens to the NAIA Elite Eight in their final campaign together in 2003.
Jason met his wife, Amanda, while the two attended Wayland Baptist. They have two children, Jenna Cooper-Jackson and Johnathan Cooper. Jenna, a former Flying Queen herself, is the current Girl’s Basketball Head Coach at Trinity Christian High School in Lubbock, Texas.
“I am especially thankful to Mike and Suzie Hutcherson, Darla Ford, and the Hutcherson Flying Queens Foundation for their unwavering support, advice, and friendship. Your dedication to this program is unmatched and deeply appreciated. The memories we have created together will be cherished forever.”
Giacomazzi and Wayland Baptist University Athletics will begin a nationwide search to find the next head coach of the Flying Queens program with a decision imminent.
source: wbuathletics.com