Ferris State Athletics Saddened By Loss Of Former Football Head Coach Nick Coso

Big Rapids, Mich. - Ferris State University Athletics and the Bulldog Football program has been saddened by the loss of former head coach Nick Coso, who passed away on Wednesday (Sept. 9) after a short illness.

Coso, of Sarasota, Fla., was a former Ferris State football coach, administrator and Big Rapids civic leader. He served as FSU's head coach from 1972-83, impacting countless numbers of former student-athletes during his coaching career.

"I only had the pleasure of spending a little time with Coach Coso in Florida on a few occasions over the last couple years, but it's been amazing to speak with so many alums who have had such great things to say about him," said FSU head coach Tony Annese. "There's no question he impacted so many young men that came thru his program, many of whom he continued to impact as adults. As a head coach at Ferris State, he was a true Bulldog and certainly left a lasting legacy. We offer our support and condolences to his family."

The Bulldog football squad paused to pay respects to Coach Coso following Thursday's practice session at Top Taggart Field. In addition, FSU will offer a moment of silence prior to Saturday's (Sept. 12) season opener against Northwood for both Coso and longtime Northwood head coach and administrator Pat Riepma, who passed away in July following a courageous battle against cancer.

Coso, 87, was born Nov. 11, 1927 in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Nick, Sr. and Pera Coso.   He graduated from East High School, served in the U.S. Army during World War II and earned his baccalaureate degree from Western Reserve University in 1952. Coso later received his master's degree from Kent (OH) State University.

He began his four-decade coaching journey as an assistant to Leo Strang at Shaw High School in Cleveland. In 1958, he followed Strang to famed Massillon (OH) High School. Coso served six seasons as an assistant during which time the Tigers twice won National Championships (1959 and 1961). He then joined Strang at Kent State from 1964-67 and moved to Eastern Michigan University in 1968 as defensive coordinator.

Coso became head football coach and physical education instructor at Ferris State in 1972. He guided the Bulldogs for the next 12 years, had a 39-68-7 overall record and coached six All-American players (Willie Bouyer, Dave Gagnon, John Sonntag, Chuck Evans, Greg Rambo and Vic Trecha) during his tenure. Evans led all NCAA Division III rushers with 1,509 yards in 1976, the year Coso was voted NAIA District 23 Coach of the Year and shared the same honors in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

In 1973, he also coached Ricky Patton who later started at running back for the San Francisco 49ers in their 1982 Super Bowl win over Cincinnati at the Pontiac Silverdome. His Bulldog teams were often cast as underdogs since most member schools offered more scholarship aid during the formative years of the GLIAC. Coso's Bulldogs recorded the 200th win in Ferris State history with a 24-16 victory over Alma in 1980 and were the first FSU team to beat archrival Grand Valley State three consecutive seasons (1972-74).

Coso became director of FSU's Gerholz Institute for Lifelong Learning in 1983 and later served as acting dean of GILL with his headquarters in Grand Rapids to direct the University's academic offerings in that area. Before moving to Grand Rapids, he was a member of the Big Rapids School Board and an active member of several community groups. Coso was a leader in the FSU Athletic Associates, co-chair of the fundraising committee for Top Taggart Field and a member of the Ferris State Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Committee. He retired from FSU in 1998.

The affable "Big Nick," as he liked to refer to himself, had a deep love of religion, life, family and country.  He enjoyed a good laugh, willingly worked long and hard to complete tasks correctly, and took seriously his role of teaching young men the lessons of football and life. A loyal friend to many, Coso was a tireless promoter for FSU, its mission and its offerings.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Angela; sons Nick III (Xuchitl) of Lakeland, FL, and John (Kelly) of Grand Rapids; daughter Julie (Doug) Norman of Atlanta, Ga.; and granddaughters Alexandra (Scott) Strong, Grace Norman and Emily Norman (Dave Morey), Audra (Matt) Murphy and Kayla VanderMolen; grandsons Jack and Matthew Norman aand Nicholas Coso; and great grandsons Chandler Norman-Morey and Kirk Murphy.  He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Laura Coso VanderMolen.