JV Triumph: Andrew Cokley's Leadership Sparks a Major Win and School-Wide Pride

Manteca High School Health Education teacher and Junior Varsity football coach Andrew Cokley works at his desk in room 123 on October 1st, 2025. (Alexis Leal/The Tower) 

By ALEXIS LEAL 

The Tower 

MANTECA - Whether he is working in his classroom or running drills on the field, Andrew Cokley, Manteca High School's Health Education teacher and JV Football Coach, brings a contagious youthful spirit to everything he does. His energetic, approachable demeanor makes him a safe space for students and players alike. He is a trusted mentor always pushing them to be their best selves, both on the roster and in the classroom. 

Cokley, in his brief time at Manteca High, injected powerful, driven energy into the school. He is not only a highly prepared mentor who pushes students to succeed academically and athletically, but his leadership directly spurred the team’s triumphant 19-14 win over Central Catholic High on September 26th, a victory that signals a major cultural shift for the program. 

“Never give up on your journey, life is a river and there's gonna be rapids, and slow parts at it. Just stay on stream, stay on course, and believe in yourself. Have confidence that you will make it at the end of the day,” said Cokley. 

Coach Cokley has quickly made a massive impact on the Manteca High School community as both a teacher and a coach. Recognized for his constant drive, he is relentless in pushing his players and students to success both in and out of the classroom. 

“He really cares about the kids, he puts, you know, 100% effort in, comes to work every day, ready to go,” said Junior Varsity football Coach Brian Rohles “…trying to make the kids better, and trying to make Manteca High a better place.” 

 While Cokley is known to be hard on his players, insisting on excellence on and off the field, he simultaneously uplifts everyone he interacts with. His consistent preparation and readiness also significantly lightened the load for the rest of the coaching staff. This dedication culminated in a big win when Cokley prepared his team for a tough 19-14 victory over Central Catholic High School on Friday, September 26th. 

Cokley's academic background in Physical Education and Health Science is marked by a determined collegiate journey across three institutions. His path began at Cal Poly, where he played college football, an experience he credits as fundamentally shaping his leadership and competitive philosophy.  

“Football and college for me was a lot of growth, a lot of learning,” said Cokley “I made some of my best friends for life during college football.” 

He continued his studies at American River College before completing his bachelor's degree at Central Washington University. This demonstrates his unwavering commitment and perseverance, which has directly influenced his well-rounded approach as a coach and mentor. 

Cokley is a coach well known for his positive outlook and youthful energy. He is known among both staff and students as someone who is always on the ball. Someone who actively supports everyone in achieving success. 

“He always made sure I was on top of my work. He was hard on me. He always made sure I was not slacking off, and he just helped me with my grades when I am struggling,” said Junior Varsity Linebacker Tarell Valentine. “He would tutor me after class, and things, so he just helped me become a better student and more organized person.” 

As a strong advocate for mental health, Cokley makes a concerted effort to check in with students regularly and is always ready to share his own words of advice with anyone who will listen. While he can be tough on his players, his underlying motivation is always for their long-term success, both on and off the field.