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Canyon Springs football coach Cooper reportedly headed to San Diego State

Canyon Springs football coach Hunkie Cooper, who guided the Pioneers to the Northeast League title this past season, is set to become an assistant coach at San Diego State, according to an online report.

Cooper, 45, will replace LeCharls McDaniel as the school’s wide receivers coach, AztecSportsReport.com reported Monday night.

Cooper did not return voice-mail messages Monday night or Tuesday seeking comment. A spokesperson for San Diego State said Tuesday he could not confirm Cooper’s hiring.

Cooper, a former UNLV and Arena Football League standout, went 43-20 in six seasons at Canyon Springs. The Pioneers made the Sunrise Region playoffs every year under Cooper and also won the Northeast League title in 2011.

Canyon Springs finished 6-4 in 2014 and was upset 28-17 by Basic in the first round of the Division I Sunrise Region playoffs.

Cooper will be reunited at San Diego State with former UNLV coach Jeff Horton, who was Cooper’s position coach during his two seasons with the Rebels. Horton is expected to be promoted to San Diego State’s offensive coordinator, replacing the retired Bob Toledo, according to multiple reports.

Cooper also will join up with Canyon Springs graduate Donnel Pumphrey, who set a school record as a sophomore for the Aztecs with 1,867 rushing yards.

The move to San Diego State will be Cooper’s first collegiate coaching job. After retiring as a player in 2005, Cooper was the defensive coordinator for the Utah Blaze of the AFL in 2006 and 2007. He also served as the Blaze’s defensive coordinator to open the 2008 season and was demoted to defensive backs coach before being fired after five games.

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