Coach Michael Cohen, a proud Fayetteville native, enters his first season on the Fayetteville State University football staff in 2025, bringing over a decade of coaching experience and a deep-rooted passion for player development, leadership, and community impact.
A 2009 graduate of Trinity Christian School, Cohen began his football journey as a standout running back before continuing his playing career at Solano College in California. Despite an early injury setback in 2010, he returned to help lead Solano to back-to-back conference championships in 2010 and 2011. He later transferred to Fayetteville State University in 2012, where injuries ultimately ended his playing career but ignited his calling to coach and mentor the next generation.
Cohen launched his coaching career in 2013 at his alma mater, Trinity Christian School, where he served in multiple roles including wide receivers, defensive backs, and passing game coordinator. His leadership helped guide the program to several state championship appearances, including a title win as both a player and coach. Over the years, he has been instrumental in developing more than 20 student-athletes who earned college scholarships, with several advancing to NCAA Division I programs.
From 2021 to 2022, Cohen expanded his coaching and educational impact at Scottsdale Christian Academy in Arizona while also serving as an instructor at Arizona State University. He returned to Trinity Christian in 2023 and 2024, helping lead the team to consecutive NCISAA State Championship game appearances.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Cohen currently serves as a Community Director at Fayetteville State, where he supports student development, retention, and campus engagement. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Divinity (2016), a Master of Science in Leadership (2019), and multiple certifications through ISSA in strength and conditioning, personal training, and corrective exercise.
Coach Cohen is known for his film-driven player development, data-informed game planning, and a coaching philosophy centered on building strong men—leaders, husbands, and fathers—through the game of football. His journey comes full circle as he returns to his hometown and alma mater, ready to make an impact on and off the field.
