Don Cooper: White Sox Pitching Coach, Career, Obituary and Death

Former Chicago White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper has died at age 70, bringing an end to a long baseball career that included more than three decades with the organization and a World Series championship in 2005.

The White Sox confirmed Cooper’s death on September 23, 2026. His family said he died Tuesday, September 22, at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee. The family did not publicly disclose a cause of death.

Cooper is best remembered for his 18 seasons as the White Sox major-league pitching coach and for helping oversee the pitching staff that delivered Chicago its first World Series title since 1917.

Don Cooper obituary: What happened to the White Sox coach?

Don Cooper died on September 22, 2026, at the age of 70, according to the White Sox and reports from multiple news organizations.

His family announced the news through social media on September 23. According to the family’s statement, Cooper died at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee. The statement highlighted his passion for baseball, his relationships with players and coaches, and his love for family and friends.

A cause of death has not been publicly announced. Reports citing his family say no cause was provided when his death was announced. Therefore, claims about a specific illness or medical condition should not be treated as confirmed.

Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced in the initial reports about his death.

Don Cooper and the White Sox

Cooper had one of the longest coaching relationships in Chicago White Sox history.

He joined the White Sox organization in 1988, initially working as a minor-league pitching coach. He eventually moved through several roles in the organization’s development system before becoming the major-league pitching coach in July 2002.

Cooper remained the White Sox pitching coach through the 2020 season.

During that period, he worked under several managers, including Jerry Manuel, Ozzie Guillén, Robin Ventura and Rick Renteria. His 18-year run as the major-league pitching coach made him one of the longest-serving coaches at that position in MLB.

The White Sox and Cooper parted ways after the 2020 season. By then, he had spent 33 seasons in the organization.

Don Cooper as White Sox pitching coach

Cooper became the White Sox pitching coach on July 22, 2002.

His job involved preparing pitchers, developing young arms and helping major-league pitchers adjust to opponents and the demands of a long MLB season.

Over the years, Cooper worked with several notable White Sox pitchers, including Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Chris Sale, Esteban Loaiza and Lucas Giolito. MLB noted that Cooper played an important role in the development of pitchers throughout his long tenure.

His influence was especially visible during the White Sox’s championship season in 2005.

Don Cooper and the 2005 World Series

The biggest achievement of Cooper’s coaching career came with the 2005 Chicago White Sox.

Chicago went 11-1 during the 2005 postseason and won the World Series, ending an 88-year championship drought.

The White Sox pitching staff posted a 2.55 postseason ERA during that championship run.

One of the most memorable parts of the postseason came during the American League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Angels.

Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Freddy Garcia and Jose Contreras each threw a complete game in four consecutive games.

That sequence helped Chicago defeat the Angels and advance to the World Series. Reports noted that the feat had not been accomplished in an MLB postseason since the 1928 New York Yankees.

The White Sox then swept the Houston Astros in the World Series.

For Cooper, the championship became the defining accomplishment of his coaching career.

How long did Don Cooper coach for the White Sox?

Don Cooper spent 33 seasons with the White Sox organization, from 1988 through 2020.

His major-league pitching-coach tenure lasted from 2002 through 2020, covering 18 seasons.

Before becoming the MLB pitching coach, Cooper worked extensively in the White Sox minor-league system.

His responsibilities included coaching young pitchers and later serving as a pitching coordinator. That experience helped him transition into the major-league coaching role.

His longevity made him a familiar figure to multiple generations of White Sox players and fans.

Don Cooper playing career

Before becoming a coach, Cooper was a professional pitcher.

He made his MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins in 1981 and pitched parts of four major-league seasons. His playing career also included time with the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees.

Cooper’s playing career did not reach the same length as his coaching career.

After his time as a player, he moved into coaching and eventually established himself as one of the White Sox organization’s most recognizable pitching instructors.

Don Cooper’s relationship with Ozzie Guillén

Cooper developed a close professional relationship with former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén, who managed Chicago during its 2005 World Series championship.

Following Cooper’s death, Guillén publicly remembered his longtime colleague.

Guillén said his career would not have been the same without Cooper and credited him with teaching him about pitchers, pitching and the mindset involved in the game. He also described Cooper as a close friend to his family.

The comments reflected Cooper’s influence beyond the technical aspects of pitching.

Don Cooper’s coaching legacy

Cooper’s legacy with the White Sox is closely connected to pitching development and consistency.

His career included some of the most important periods in modern White Sox history. He was part of the organization before the 2005 championship and remained there for many years afterward.

He also worked with pitchers who became important parts of the franchise.

Among the pitchers associated with Cooper during his White Sox career were Buehrle, Garland, Sale, Loaiza and Giolito.

The 2005 championship staff remains the clearest part of his coaching legacy. The team’s postseason pitching performance was particularly notable because of the four consecutive complete games during the ALCS.

Don Cooper’s final years with the White Sox

Cooper’s final season as the White Sox pitching coach came in 2020.

Following the season, Chicago announced that Cooper and manager Rick Renteria would not return. General manager Rick Hahn publicly acknowledged Cooper’s long contribution to the organization and his three decades with the club.

At the time, Cooper had completed 33 seasons with the White Sox organization.

His departure ended one of the longest coaching tenures in the franchise’s history.

Don Cooper age

Don Cooper was 70 years old when he died.

He was born in New York City and later made his home in Brentwood, Tennessee. Reports about his death state that he died at his Brentwood home on September 22, 2026.

Don Cooper cause of death

The cause of Don Cooper’s death has not been publicly disclosed.

His family confirmed his death but did not provide a cause. As a result, there is currently no reliable basis for attributing his death to a particular disease, injury or medical condition.

This is important because online searches following the announcement may produce speculation that has not been confirmed by Cooper’s family or the White Sox.

Don Cooper family and personal life

Cooper’s family described him as someone whose love for baseball was matched by his devotion to his loved ones.

His family statement said that his passion for baseball and the people around him brought him pride throughout his life, while his love for family and friends was even stronger.

Cooper and his family were based in the Brentwood, Tennessee, area in his later years.

Don Cooper’s White Sox career at a glance

Why Don Cooper is important to White Sox history

Don Cooper’s importance to the White Sox goes beyond one championship season.

He spent 33 years inside the organization and worked with players at both the minor- and major-league levels. His 18 seasons as the team’s MLB pitching coach gave him an unusually long tenure in a demanding coaching position.

His most famous achievement came in 2005, when the White Sox won the World Series and their pitching staff produced one of the most memorable postseason performances in MLB history.

Cooper also remained connected to the organization through several generations of players and coaches.

His death at 70 marks the passing of a coach whose professional life was deeply tied to Chicago baseball.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Don Cooper?

Don Cooper was a former Chicago White Sox pitching coach who spent 33 seasons with the organization. He served as the team’s major-league pitching coach from 2002 through 2020.

Did Don Cooper win a World Series with the White Sox?

Yes. Cooper was the White Sox pitching coach during their 2005 World Series championship season.

How old was Don Cooper when he died?

Don Cooper was 70 years old when he died on September 22, 2026.

When did Don Cooper become the White Sox pitching coach?

Cooper became the White Sox major-league pitching coach on July 22, 2002.

How long was Don Cooper with the White Sox?

Cooper spent 33 seasons with the White Sox organization, from 1988 through 2020.

What was Don Cooper’s cause of death?

His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. His family confirmed his death but did not provide a cause.

Where did Don Cooper die?

Cooper died at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee, on September 22, 2026.

What was Don Cooper’s biggest achievement?

His most notable coaching achievement was being part of the White Sox organization during the 2005 World Series championship, when Chicago ended an 88-year title drought.

Conclusion

Don Cooper leaves behind a long White Sox legacy built over 33 seasons with the organization. His career included 18 seasons as the team’s major-league pitching coach and the historic 2005 World Series championship.

Cooper died at age 70 in Brentwood, Tennessee, on September 22, 2026. While his family has not disclosed a cause of death, his baseball legacy is well documented through his decades of coaching and his role with one of the most memorable pitching staffs in White Sox history.