Connect with us

Florida

FSU hires Evan Cooper as safeties coach

Published

on

FSU hires Evan Cooper as safeties coach


Florida State has hired NFL and college coaching veteran Evan Cooper as the football program’s safeties coach, FSU head coach Mike Norvell announced Saturday.

Cooper, a Miami native who attended American Heritage, brings more than a decade of coaching experience and reunites with FSU defensive coordinator Tony White, who he was with at Nebraska in 2023, and defensive line coach Terrance Knighton, his college teammate and fellow coach with the Carolina Panthers and at Nebraska.

“I’m happy to have Evan Cooper joining our Nole Family,” Norvell said. “It’s great to have another Dade County native back working in his home state. Our safeties will benefit from his experience and expertise, and he will be a tremendous collaborator with Tony White, Patrick Surtain and the rest of our defensive staff to reestablish the dominant defense Florida State is known for. I’m incredibly excited for the future here at Florida State.”

The 2023 Nebraska defense, with Cooper serving as the defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach, produced four All-Big Ten defensive backs. The quartet was led by Tommi Hill, whose 13 passes defended were the most in the conference. Hill also ranked third in the Big Ten with nine pass breakups while posting the conference’s fifth-highest individual interceptions total.

Advertisement

The Huskers held opponents to only 6.1 yards per pass attempt, ninth-lowest in the country, and had the nation’s 15th-best passing efficiency defense. Nebraska kept seven of 12 opponents to less than 200 passing yards, including two under 100 yards. The Huskers allowed only 92.9 rushing yards per game, the No. 8 rushing defense in the country and the best at Nebraska this century, while also ranking 11th nationally in total defense and 13th in scoring defense. Hill led the team with 85 tackles and fellow defensive back Omar Brown tied for second among Huskers with 51 tackles.

“I’m excited to join the Florida State football program,” Cooper said. “FSU has an elite history among the best programs in college football, and I’m looking forward to working with Coach Norvell and the rest of the staff. I can’t wait to get started with our players and contribute to upholding the DBU legacy.”

Cooper was the Carolina Panthers’ cornerbacks coach and director of player evaluation from 2020-22. In 2021, Carolina had the NFL’s No. 2 total defense, allowing 305.9 yards per game. Cooper’s cornerbacks contributed to the league’s No. 4 pass defense, holding opponents to only 192.1 passing yards per game, and the fifth-lowest completions allowed total in the NFL.

Cooper spent three seasons at Baylor and helped lead a major transformation in the program that resulted in a trip to the Sugar Bowl in his last year in Waco. He spent the 2017 season as the Bears’ director of player personnel before joining the on-field staff working with the secondary and defensive line in 2018. In 2019, he was promoted to cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator and helped the Bears post an 11-3 record with an appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game and Sugar Bowl. That year, Baylor’s 17 interceptions ranked fifth in the country and contributed to a group that ranked 18th nationally in pass efficiency defense and 19th in scoring defense.

After a brief stint as the assistant director of player personnel at Miami early in 2015, Cooper was hired as Temple’s director of player personnel. He served in that role in 2015 and 2016, helping the Owls reach 10 wins both years and qualify for bowl games in consecutive seasons for the first time in program history. The 2016 team also won the AAC, Temple’s first conference title in 48 years, by defeating No. 19 Navy in the conference championship game.

Advertisement

Cooper began his coaching career as the defensive backs coach for Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. He then accepted a graduate assistant position at Temple in 2013 and moved to the role of director of external operations for the Owls in 2014.

Cooper was a four-year letterman at defensive back for Temple and earned his bachelor’s degree in sport and recreational management from Temple in 2009. He and his wife, Andisha, have one son, Evan III, and one daughter, Madison.

Evan Cooper Coaching History

2025- Florida State Safeties Coach

2023 Nebraska Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Secondary Coach

Advertisement

2020-22 Carolina Panthers Cornerbacks Coach/Director of Player Evaluation

2019 Baylor Cornerbacks Coach/Recruiting Coordinator

2018 Baylor Secondary/Defensive Line Coach

2017 Baylor Director of Player Personnel

2015-16 Temple Director of Player Personnel

Advertisement

2014 Temple Director of External Operations

2013 Temple Graduate Assistant

2011-12 Westminster Academy (Fla.) Defensive Backs Coach



Source link

Advertisement

Florida

Florida investigating AI role in mass shooting at university

Published

on

Florida investigating AI role in mass shooting at university


Florida on Tuesday announced a criminal probe into whether artificial intelligence played a role in a deadly mass shooting at a university in the US state.

The decision to launch an investigation came after prosecutors reviewed exchanges between OpenAI chatbot ChatGPT and the suspected gunman, who opened fire at Florida State University last year, according to state Attorney General James Uthmeier.

“If ChatGPT were a person, it would be facing charges for murder,” Uthmeier said.

Florida law allows anyone who assists or counsels someone in the commission of a crime to be treated as an “aider and abettor” bearing the same responsibility as the perpetrator, according to Uthmeier.

In exchanges with ChatGPT, the accused shooter sought advice on what type of gun and ammunition to use, as well as where and when on campus a lot of people would likely be found, the state attorney general said during a press briefing.

Advertisement

“Last year’s mass shooting at Florida State University was a tragedy, but ChatGPT is not responsible for this terrible crime,” an OpenAI spokesperson said.



Source link

Continue Reading

Florida

Florida wildfire strands Amtrak passengers for over 24 hours

Published

on

Florida wildfire strands Amtrak passengers for over 24 hours


A massive wildfire in Putnam County in northern Florida left Amtrak passengers stranded on a train for more than 24 hours.

One train heading to New York City was forced to turn around, arriving back in Miami Monday night, including one passenger who said he had been on that train for about 38 hours.

He says he and other passengers were left uncertain about what was going on.

“Angry, confused, uncertain, in the dark,” said John Reardon.

Advertisement

Reardon, who lives in New York City, says he boarded the train around 7 a.m. Sunday to go back home. He said around 3 p.m. Sunday, the train stopped near Jacksonville.

“Finally, after about 5 hours, they said we’re not going to New York, we’re going back to Miami,” Reardon said. “One stop at a time.”

Amtrak said for the safety of its passengers, the train couldn’t continue going north because of the fire.

“Amtrak sends a notification to the phone saying, ‘Hey, there’s an issue with the wildfire, it’s too close to the railway,’” said passenger Katrinia Wheeler.

Multiple crews are battling multiple fires in two Florida counties, leaving at least 3,000 acres burned. 

Advertisement

“I saw that there was a lot of smoke coming from the woods, and then I saw the fire trucks and emergency services,” Wheeler said.

The train that left Miami at 7 a.m. on Sunday returned around 9 p.m. on Monday, leaving passengers frustrated.

Amtrak corporate says they made the decision out of safety for their customers and said customers would receive full refunds and vouchers.



Source link

Continue Reading

Florida

Florida Lottery Fantasy 5, Cash Pop results for April 19, 2026

Published

on

Florida Lottery Fantasy 5, Cash Pop results for April 19, 2026


The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.

Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 06-09-19-34-35

Advertisement

Evening: 08-09-12-25-31

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing

Morning: 03

Matinee: 08

Afternoon: 04

Advertisement

Evening: 01

Late Night: 07

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

play

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Advertisement

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

Winning Pick 2 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 4-0, FB: 3

Evening: 0-6, FB: 6

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 2-9-1, FB: 3

Advertisement

Evening: 3-7-0, FB: 6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 9-7-8-0, FB: 3

Evening: 3-6-7-8, FB: 6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 3-9-3-5-1, FB: 3

Evening: 1-3-1-8-7, FB: 6

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Advertisement

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

  • Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
  • Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
  • Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.

You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.

Florida law requires public disclosure of winners

If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:

  • Full name
  • City of residence
  • Game won
  • Date won
  • Amount won
  • Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.

When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
  • Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
  • Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending