UConn QB Casey Cochran Gives Up Football Due to History of Concussions

Connecticut Huskies redshirt sophomore quarterback Casey Cochran is hanging up his cleats and pursuing a coaching career due to several concussions suffered over the course of his playing career.    

ESPN's Brett McMurphy revealed the news on Twitter Monday following a statement from the school:

Cochran, who was named the starter over senior Chandler Whitmer by head coach Bob Diaco back in August, completed 63.4 percent of his passes last season for 1,293 yards and 11 touchdowns to four interceptions.

Against BYU to start the year, Cochran threw for 171 yards and an interception and left with an injury before the eventual 35-10 loss. Whitmer will take over the reins full time for the 1-1 Huskies moving forward.

Fred Beckham/Associated Press

Cochran's decision to place an emphasis on his health was applauded by many, including Huskies play-by-play announcer Joe D'Ambrosio:

Now, Cochran can move forward with what many figured he would do after his collegiate football career concluded—coach the game to others, as his father Jack does at the high school level in Connecticut.

"A silver lining in this matter is that Casey has an interest in pursuing a career in coaching," said Diaco, per the press release on the team's website. "We can now accelerate his development in that area as he transitions from a player role to a mentor role as he continues to serve the team."

As Sean Patrick Bowley of GameTimeCT muses, the role is something that seems to suit Casey well moving forward:

As well as pursue the next step in his football career, Cochran will also surely continue his stellar academic record one season removed from being named to the 2013 American Athletic Conference All-Academic team.

After making one of the most difficult decisions a player inevitably experiences, Cochran gets to continue working around the sport he loves in a nurturing environment. Really, this premature end seems to be just the beginning for Cochran and his future pursuits.