Billy Cosh

Billy Cosh
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamStony Brook
ConferenceCAA Football
Record8–4
Biographical details
Born (1992-03-05) March 5, 1992 (age 32)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Playing career
2010Kansas State
2011James Madison
2012Butler (KS)
2013–2014Houston
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2015Concord (QB)
2016–2017Indiana (GA)
2018–2019VMI (WR)
2020–2021VMI (OC/QB)
2022Richmond (OC/QB)
2023Western Michigan (OC/QB)
2024–presentStony Brook
Head coaching record
Overall8–4

William Cosh (born March 5, 1992) is an American college football coach. He is currently the head football coach for Stony Brook University.

Early life

Cosh was born in Minnesota. At the time, his father Chris Cosh was the defensive line coach for the University of Minnesota football team. The Cosh family moved constantly as Chris changed coaching jobs often. By the time Billy was in high school, they settled in Maryland as Chris was the defensive coordinator for the Maryland Terrapins from 2006 to 2008.[1]

Playing career

Cosh attended Arundel High School from 2006 to 2009. He became the starting quarterback in his junior year, where he broke seven state records throughout the season including most passing yards (3,909) and most touchdown passes (56) in a season.[2] In his senior year, he threw for 3,913 yards and 56 touchdowns, setting state records for career attempts (909), completions (594), passing yards (7,433) and touchdowns (112).[3]

Cosh first committed to Kansas State, where his father Chris was the defensive coordinator. He redshirted his freshman season.[3] He transferred to James Madison after the season, following a visit from their head coach Mickey Matthews which convinced him there was an opportunity for him there. However, he was at the bottom of the quarterback depth chart and did not play. Cosh would regret his first transfer as "a rash decision."[4] In 2012, he transferred to Butler Community College but tore his ACL in the NJCAA junior college championship game, ending a season where he threw for 2,856 yards and 25 touchdowns.[4]

He committed to Houston in December 2012.[5] He was cleared to return in July 2013.[4] In 2014, Cosh made his NCAA debut, completing five of nine passes for 32 yards in three games.[6][7]

Coaching career

Cosh became his coaching career at Concord. He served as a graduate assistant and quarterbacks coach for Indiana from 2016 to 2017. Then, he was hired at VMI, where he was the wide receivers coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, leading their "Pro Raid" offense. After four seasons, he was named Richmond's offensive coordinator.[8] In his one season at Richmond, the Spiders had a top 20 offensive SP+ rating and advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs.[9][10] Cosh was hired by Western Michigan as their offensive coordinator before the 2023 season.[10]

On December 13, 2023, Cosh was named the third head coach in Stony Brook Seawolves history.[6][11] At 31 years old, Cosh became the second-youngest current Division I head football coach.[12] He won his first game as a head coach on September 7, 2024 against Stonehill, a 37–10 victory for Stony Brook. It was the program's first win in 672 days.[13] On October 26, 2024, Cosh's Seawolves defeated the 15th-ranked William and Mary Tribe 35-13, the program's first win against a ranked opponent since 2021.[14] Cosh was named the 2024 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year.[15]

Personal life

Cosh is the son of football coach Chris Cosh, who served as defensive coordinator on multiple FBS college football teams.[2] His older brother J.J. played college football for the Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy from 2007 to 2011 and is currently a scout for the Chicago Bears.[16]

Cosh met his wife Kelsey at the University of Houston.[17] Their first child, a daughter, was born in 2023.[18]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Stony Brook Seawolves (CAA Football) (2024–present)
2024 Stony Brook 8–4 5–3 T–6th
Stony Brook: 8–4 5–3
Total: 8–4

Reference

  1. ^ Anderson, Mike. Statesman Sports Spotlight ft. Billy Cosh. Retrieved September 9, 2024 – via sbstatesman.com.
  2. ^ a b "Loveday: Cosh's record-breaking season sets stage for senior year". ESPN.com. February 6, 2009. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  3. ^ a b By (January 18, 2011). "Ex-Arundel star Billy Cosh transfers from Kansas State". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Boster, Seth (August 24, 2013). "Former Arundel star Billy Cosh hopes fourth time is the charm". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  5. ^ Duarte, Joseph (December 4, 2012). "Cougars get help at quarterback". CT Insider. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Anderson, Mike. "Stony Brook lands Billy Cosh as new head football coach". The Statesman. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  7. ^ "Billy Cosh - Football". University of Houston Athletics. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  8. ^ O'Connor, John (August 5, 2022). "Spiders operate at snappy pace with new OC Billy Cosh: 'I can tell you, he's a winner.'". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  9. ^ "Stony Brook Football Begins New Era; Announces Billy Cosh as Head Football Coach". Stony Brook University Athletics. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Pearson, Andrew (July 31, 2023). "What's New for the 2023 Western Michigan Broncos?". Hustle Belt. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  11. ^ "Stony Brook announces Billy Cosh as the school's new football head coach". Greater Long Island. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  12. ^ "New Stony Brook football coach Billy Cosh well-prepared to run program". Newsday. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  13. ^ DiCocco, Anthony. "Stony Brook football snaps 13-game skid with win over Stonehill". The Statesman. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  14. ^ "Stony Brook Earns First Ranked Victory Since 2021, Takes Down William & Mary on Homecoming". Stony Brook University Athletics. October 26, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  15. ^ "Billy Cosh Named 2024 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year". Stony Brook University Athletics. October 26, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  16. ^ "Stony Brook names Billy Cosh as new football coach". Newsday. December 13, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  17. ^ Spurrell, Kenny (August 11, 2024). "New head coach Billy Cosh looks to bring change to SBU football | TBR News Media". Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  18. ^ Brice, John (July 16, 2024). "Fresh Faces, FCS Places: Billy Cosh set to turn around Stony Brook". Footballscoop. Retrieved November 3, 2024.