Arrowhead Pride
He might have a career waiting for him once his playing days are over.
While speaking with writers on Friday afternoon, Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub highlighted what he viewed as one of his unit's greatest achievements this season: their ability to persevere through adversity, especially when players are injured.
In 2024, the Chiefs special teams unit lost two kickers (Harrison Butker and Matthew Wright), two kick and punt returners (Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore), and one captain (Jack Cochrane) to injury.
It may be surprising to hear that of all of these, it was the loss of Cochrane that Toub mentioned as significant to the team.
“Jack was a big leader for us,” explained Toub. “One of our captains on special teams.”
Cochrane fractured his ankle in the Chiefs' Week 16 matchup against the Houston Texans. Despite his injury, Toub said that Cochrane is still in the building helping his teammates.
“He’s still around doing everything he can possibly do to help us with that in that area.”
Cochrane attends every special team meeting and gives feedback on what he sees in the film.
“He’s on a cart,” explained Toub. “He can’t put any weight on his foot, but he comes to every meeting, and he watches the tape, and he gives us info.”
Toub said he respects Cochrane’s opinion so much that he’s given him a nickname that fits his ability to watch and diagnose the game.
“I think he’s going to be a coach,” added Toub. “I think he’s destined to be. I call him coach Cochrane. I tell our guys, ‘Coach Cochrane saw this on tape, and we’re going to do this.’
“It keeps him involved. And he should be involved because he definitely brings something to the table.”
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid’s tree is full of guys who used to play for him, including offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and former Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson. And who knows? Maybe Cochrane will be the next on this list to go on to have a second career once his playing days are over.
