After finishing a standout career that was capped off with All-America honors as a senior last season, Travis Cooley is in his first year as the offensive graduate assistant coach. He will assist with the offensive line.

Cooley was a two-time All-Conference USA selection, including first-team honors as a senior last year. He started all four years at Southern Miss and was named one of the team captains last year.

Cooley was part of the offensive line that paved the way for the first 1,000-yard rusher since 2002, the team rushed for over 2,000 yards for the first time since 1987 and set the school record for total offense in a season (4,635). The offensive line was ranked in the top 20 of the nation for three-straight years for the fewest sacks allowed each season.

He helped the Golden Eagles to a four-year record of 32-18, the 2003 Conference USA Championship, the 2006 C-USA East Division Championship and a school-record four-straight bowl appearances, winning three of them.

Cooley was awarded the Heart of the Eagle Award as a senior last year for the player who exemplifies what Southern Miss football is all about. He also was named to Conference USA's All-Academic team and was selected to the first team of the Arthur Ashe Scholar-Athlete Football squad.

He graduated from Southern Miss in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in coaching and sport administration and is currently completing the requirements for a master's degree in sport administration, also at Southern Miss.

He is the son of Hollis and Ruby Cooley of Waynesboro, Miss.