Cornelius Cooper

Cornelius Cooper (born January 10, 1947) is a former American football player and coach. He was the 13th head football coach for the Prairie View A&M University Panthers located in Prairie View, Texas and he held that position for two seasons, from 1980 until 1981. His career coaching record at Prairie View was 4 wins, 16 losses, and 0 ties. As of the conclusion of the 2007 season, this ranks him 15th at Prairie View in total wins and 15th at Prairie View in winning percentage (.200).

Cooper played offensive tackle at Prairie View, and was later drafted in the 11th round (280th overall) by the Miami Dolphins in 1968. This makes him one of 33 "Historically Black College/University" players drafted in the NFL in 1968.

He later taught in the West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District.