UConn QB Casey Cochran forced to quit football after too many concussions

UConn sophomore quarterback Casey Cochran is giving up football after suffering too many concussions during his career, the school announced Monday.

Cochran, who was the team’s starter, missed last Saturday’s game against Stony Brook after suffering a concussion in the season opener against BYU.

UConn said Cochran, his family, the football program and the university medical staff discussed Cochran’s history with concussions and decided it would be in his best interest to end his career.

"We knew one more concussion would be his last," Cochran's father, Jack said Monday.

However, Cochran isn’t stepping away from the game totally. Coach Bob Diaco said in the statement that Cochran will stay on as a coach of sorts.

"A silver lining in this matter is that Casey has an interest in pursuing a career in coaching," Diaco said in the statement. "We can now accelerate his development in that area as he transitions from a player role to a mentor role as he continues to serve the team."

Cochran’s father, Jack, was one of the state of Connecticut’s winningest high school football coaches with eight state championships in 14 opportunities with three different programs.

Chandler Whitmer started last week’s 19-16 win against Stony Brook and will be the starter moving forward.

For more Connecticut news, visit UConnReport.com.

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