Promising UConn Quarterback Retires Due to Concussions

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By Jeff Pini
Boston.com Staff
September 8, 2014 6:39 PM


University of Connecticut quarterback Casey Cochran has decided to hang up his cleats and retire from the game of football after sustaining multiple concussions throughout his career.

The university announced on Monday that the redshirt sophomore would discontinue his career after a mutual decision by the Cochran family, the UConn football program, and the UConn Athletics medical staff.

“All those involved in the decision making process feel it is in the best interest of Cochran to end his football playing career and focus on his continued well-being,” the university said in a statement on uconnhuskies.com.

Cochran was named the starting quarterback for the Huskies this season on Aug. 18, but suffered an “upper-body injury” in their season-opener to BYU on Aug. 29. He completed 17 of 31 passes for 171 yards and an interception in the game, while senior Chandler Whitmer was 8-for-17 for 113 yards.

Cochran will continue to serve the UConn football program as a mentor, the team announced on Monday.

“A silver lining in this matter is that Casey has an interest in pursuing a career in coaching,” UConn head coach Bob Diaco said in the UConn 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.”

After redshirting in 2012, Cochran played in eight games for the Huskies during the 2013 season, going 3-1 in four starts and going a tidy 111-for-175 for 1,293 yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. He set the UConn single-game passing record with 461 yards on Dec. 7 against Memphis.

A native of Monroe, Conn., Cochran was a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Connecticut, was also named a Connecticut High School Coaches’ Association All-Star, and holds the Connecticut high school record for passing yards and completions.