STORRS, Conn. (AP) — UConn quarterback Casey Cochran, who was injured in the first game of the season after winning the starting job, has decided to end his football career because of multiple concussions, school officials announced Monday.
The 6-foot-1 redshirt sophomore from Monroe, Connecticut, made the decision after consulting with school medical staff and his family, UConn officials said.
“A silver lining in this matter is that Casey has an interest in pursuing a career in coaching,” UConn coach Bob Diaco said in a 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.”
Cochran started against BYU in a 35-10 loss in the season opener Aug. 29. He went 17 of 31 for 171 yards and an interception while splitting quarterback duties with senior Chandler Witmer.
Cochran was injured at the end of the BYU game and didn’t play Saturday as Witmer and the Huskies’ beat Stony Brook 19-16. Diaco would only describe the injury as an upper-body ailment. UConn officials declined to say Monday whether the injury was a concussion.
Playing in eight games last season, Cochran started the final four and went 3-1. He finished the season 111 of 175 for 1,293 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. He set the UConn record for most passing yards in a game with 461 in a 45-10 win over Memphis in the final game of the season.
Cochran, a pre-communications science major, also was redshirted in 2012 after he broke his left, non-throwing wrist during a bicycle accident in the summer before the season started.
He was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Connecticut for two seasons at Masuk High School and holds state records for passing yards and completions.
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