07/08/2026
LCHS welcomes Coach Lee Cooper as the Head Wrestling Coach. Coach Cooper recently served as an assistant coach before stepping into this new role. 💙❤️💙
Ernest Lee Cooper brings a lifelong passion for wrestling and a proven track record of developing student-athletes both on and off the mat. Originally from Lee County, Virginia, Coach Cooper was a standout wrestler during his high school career, earning District Champion honors and qualifying for the Virginia State Wrestling Championships.
Following his competitive career, Coach Cooper returned to the sport as a coach, serving as an assistant coach in Lee County for two seasons. He later founded and directed a youth wrestling program, where he spent three years teaching and mentoring young athletes. Under his leadership, the program produced multiple state qualifiers and state place winners while helping build a strong foundation for the future of wrestling in the community.
Coach Cooper also served one season as an assistant coach at Lincoln County, gaining valuable experience within the program and developing relationships with the athletes, families, and school community. His coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, accountability, hard work, and character development while creating an environment where every wrestler has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Outside of wrestling, Coach Cooper is a devoted family man. He has been married to his wife, Sarah Cooper, for 12 years, and together they are raising two sons, Evan Hensley, 17, and Mason Cooper, 9. His experiences as a husband, father, coach, and mentor shape his commitment to helping young athletes grow not only as wrestlers but also as responsible, respectful young adults.
