Coach Bryan Cook

The 2008 season will be Coach Cook’s fourth as the head football coach and offensive coordinator.  In three seasons he has seen the USMAPS program take great strides.  The 2006 squad finished the season 7-3 with wins over 4 unbeaten teams.  Talent from this team has arrived at West Point and the prep staff looks forward to following the success they will achieve after a year of development at USMAPS.  The seven wins were the most at Fort Monmouth since the 1999 campaign.  In Cook’s first year as a head coach, the team began the year with 4 wins and 4 losses before coming up short their last 3 games to finish at 4-7 on the season. The successful 2004 prep campaign was his first on post in which he worked as the Defensive Coordinator. While achieving a 6-3 record with victories over Air Force Prep and Navy Prep, Cook learned the competitive and driven nature of the cadet candidate athletes here at USMAPS.

Before joining the staff of former Army coach Bobby Ross, Cook served on staff at Georgia Tech for three seasons. The Yellow Jackets went to three consecutive bowl games during his time. In 2003 he coached the safeties, led by James Butler(NY Giants) and Dawan Landry(Ravens). Coaching the tight ends in 2002 he tutored NFL tight ends J.P. Foschi(Raiders) and Will Heller(Seahawks). During the 2001 season, Cook worked with the defensive backs and special teams for former Ross assistant George O’Leary.

Prior coaching stints involved stops at Division 1AA Lafayette College, and Ithaca College as the wide receiver’s coach. While at Ithaca, Cook completed his M.S.(Exercise Science) and B.S. graduating Magna Cum Laude. As a Bomber he lettered in both football and lacrosse as an all conference performer. Originally from upstate NY, he and his wife Julia reside in West Long Branch.

Nate Nelson

Nate Nelson spent the 2006 season as the Recruiting Coordinator and Specialists coach at Stanford after initially serving one season as a member of the Cardinal coaching staff in 2004 when he was an assistant to the defensive coordinator for the Cardinal in 2004. He was also involved in practice and game preparation, quality control and on-campus recruiting during his first stint with the Cardinal.

He coached the cornerbacks at Princeton in 2005.

Nelson earned four letters while playing at UC Davis from 1998-2001. He was the Aggies' starting strong safety for two-and-a-half seasons, earning NCAA Division II All-American honors as a senior in 2001. He led the team in tackles, interceptions and pass breakups in 2001 as the Aggies advanced to the national semifinals. Following his senior season, Nelson participated in the Paradise All-American Bowl in Utah. During his four seasons, UC Davis went 42-8 and qualified for the Division II playoffs each year, advancing to the semifinals during his junior and senior campaigns.

Nelson earned a Bachelor's degree in English with a minor in African-American Studies from UC Davis in 2001. After graduation, he taught Health, Physical Education and English, and was a defensive coordinator for two years at St. Mary's High School in Stockton

2LT Brian Chmura

2LT Brian Chmura is from Colorado Springs Colorado. He is the son of Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Chmura and has moved around the country his whole life.  In high school he earned three varsity letters in football.  2LT Chmura also lettered in track and basketball in high school. 

During his career at Cheyenne Mountain High School 2LT Chmura earned all-conference accolades at TE and earned all-state accolades at the position of LB his senior year. 

2LT Chmura graduated from United States Military Academy in May 2008.  During his career at USMA 2LT Chmura earned 3 varsity letters and started at Middle Linebacker his senior year.  He was third on the teams in tackles his senior season. 

His claim to fame is that he picked off Matt Ryan, now a member of the Atlanta Falcons, for a touchdown during his senior year.  2LT Chmura majored in Latin American Studies and was commissioned in Air Defense Artillery.

2LT Dennis Cooper

LT Dennis Cooper, nicknamed “Coop”, was born Dennis Lamar Cooper Jr. on August 2nd, 1986. He was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio by his mother and father (Lorraine and Charles Pickrell). He played football, basketball, baseball, and also ran track for the Winton Woods Warriors.

While attending high school, Coop participated in clubs and extra-curricular activities including National Honors Society, S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Concert Choir, DECA Sports Marketing, and many more. Coop graduated in the top ten percent of his class and was appointed Winton Woods’ Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Award.

He was named All Conference and All Academic First Team in his football district. Coop had aspirations to play college basketball at a Division 2 school until his senior year of high school.

"Coop" was offered academic and football scholarships to many schools but chose to pursue his career as an Army Black Knight and future Army officer. He did not attend USMAPS but went directly into USMA instead. He played in his first game for Army’s special teams against the University of Connecticut his sophomore year. He debuted as a free safety his junior year against Texas A&M. Making a name for himself as a skilled defender, he started his first Division 1 game against Baylor the following week.

After contributing to a glorious win in overtime, he earned a starting spot on the Army’s defense for the remainder of the year. His senior year, he shared playing time with Caleb Campbell and Jordan Murray in the Army’s secondary. Coop earned two varsity letters as a Black Knight and graduated with a Management degree as a member of the class of 2008.

With the potential drafting of some of his fellow Army football players, Coop was given the opportunity to serve as an assistant coach in charge of the Wide Receivers at the United States Military Academy Prep School at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He currently has no prior coaching experience but is experienced and familiar with the Army Football program and will be able to prepare his USMAPS players for the next step.

2LT David Pevoto

2LT David Pevoto was a two year starter at quarterback for the Black Knights during his tenure at Army.  His senior year was cut short by an ankle injury in the second game of the season. 

At the conclusion of Spring Practice in 2006, 2LT Pevoto received the “Most Improved Player” award for the offense.  While at West Point, 2LT Pevoto majored in management and decided to branch Field Artillery.

2LT Pevoto is from Colleyville, TX where he was a two year letterman in both football and track at Colleyville Heritage High School.  He was on Max Emfinger’s Top 100 list for quarterbacks in 2004.  An active member in the community, 2LT Pevoto was an Eagle Scout and was involved in his local youth group.  2LT Pevoto was also the leader of the FCA huddle at Colleyville Heritage.

2LT Pevoto was born on October 23, 1985 in Dallas, TX.  His full given name is David Michael Pevoto.  He now resides in Eatontown, NJ with his wife, Mallory.

2LT Brandon Thompson

2LT Brandon Thompson grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  While attending Putnam City High School, he played 3 years of varsity football.  He was a starter on the defensive line and earned a letter for each varsity year. 

As a graduating senior in 2003, he was named First Team All State and received an invite to the Oil Bowl among other awards and accomplishments.  Thompson was also a member of the National Honor Society.

2LT Thompson graduated from West Point in May 2008 with a degree in Management; he branched Air Defense Artillery.  Thompson earned a letter each of his four seasons playing for the Black Knights.  After a year of special teams play and reserve duty at defensive end, Thompson became the starter at left end as a sophomore. 

As a senior, Thompson contributed greatly to the Black Knight defense in the turnover category where he forced or recovered seven fumbles and intercepted one pass.  Thompson received the award for best defensive lineman at Army at the conclusion of the 2007 season.