Earlier in the 2021-22 school year, the Abilene ISD Athletics Department implemented a new award to honor its coaches at both the middle school and high school levels, and the winners as the January Coaches of the Month are Mann Middle School’s Scott Bishop and AISD gymnastics coach Brandon Cooke.

Bishop – a graduate of Tarleton State University – is in his 22nd year of teaching and coaching, and he coaches football, basketball and track for the Falcons.

“I always wanted to be a part of helping young people improve and achieve their goals in athletics,” Bishop said. “It’s great to watch them take a skill or technique that I have coached and see them execute it in practice and games. Watching athletes get better after each practice and competition is very rewarding.”

One of his athletes said the personal touch that Bishop shows with them is what makes him a special part of Mann athletics.

“Coach Bishop is a very good coach,” the athlete said. “He makes athletics fun even though we work very hard. He spends time with the players when we aren’t in athletics by sitting with us during lunch. We know he cares about us as people and not just as players. Coach Bishop expects a lot of us, and we don’t want to let him down.”

Cooke – now in his 11th year of teaching and coaching – is a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University. Cooke coaches both the boys’ and girls’ gymnastics teams at Abilene High School and Cooper High School.

“Ever since I was little, I have loved the sport of gymnastics,” Cooke said. “At an early age I began competing with Coach CJ Jackson. Coach Jackson coached me when I was young at the Gymnastics Sports Center and later at AHS when I entered high school. Being coached by Coach Jackson only strengthened my love for gymnastics. I strive to coach the sport that I love while strengthening the gymnastics program. My goal is to have a positive impact on kids in the same manner that Coach Jackson did for me.”

One of his athletes said Cooke has achieved that goal.

“Coach Cooke is a very personable and down-to-earth coach,” the athlete said. “He supports every gymnast in their efforts to reach their potential. He is easy to talk to and he makes us feel like a part of his family. We know he makes personal sacrifices for us and we realize that our success is a priority for him.”