BRENTWOOD, Tennessee — Don Cooper, the longtime Chicago White Sox pitching coach whose name became closely associated with the franchise’s historic 2005 World Series championship, has died at the age of 70. Cooper died peacefully at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, according to a statement from his family. The Chicago White Sox confirmed his death the following day, prompting an outpouring of condolences from the organization, former players, coaches and generations of baseball fans who knew him as one of the most enduring figures in White Sox history. His family has not publicly disclosed a cause of death. For Chicago White Sox supporters, Cooper’s passing represents the loss of a respected baseball coach whose career stretched across more than three decades with the organization. His greatest professional achievement came in 2005, when he helped guide a dominant White Sox pitching staff to the club’s first World Series championship since 1917. But Cooper’s legacy was about more than statistics, championships and pitching mechanics. To players and colleagues, he was also a teacher, mentor, teammate and trusted presence who built lasting relationships throughout a career spent developing pitchers and contributing to the culture of professional baseball. Who Was Don Cooper? Donald James “Don” Cooper was born January 15, 1956, in New York City. Before becoming one of the Chicago White Sox’s longest-serving coaches, Cooper experienced professional baseball from the other side of the clubhouse. He pitched in parts of four Major League Baseball seasons between 1981 and 1985, appearing in 44 games for the Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees. He recorded one major-league victory over 85⅓ innings. Although his playing career was relatively brief, Cooper found his enduring calling in coaching. He joined the White Sox organization in 1988 and spent the next 33 seasons working with players at various levels of the organization. His career eventually led him to the major-league coaching staff, where he became pitching coach on July 22, 2002. He remained in that position through the end of the 2020 season. Few coaches in modern White Sox history were associated with the organization for as long as Cooper. Don Cooper’s Baseball Career and White Sox Legacy Cooper’s career with Chicago spanned generations of players and managers. The White Sox credit him with 33 seasons as a coach in the organization, including 18 full seasons as the club’s major-league pitching coach. During that time, Cooper worked with pitchers including Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Jose Contreras, Freddy Garcia, Chris Sale and Lucas Giolito. His coaching tenure also coincided with some of the most memorable pitching performances in White Sox history. Mark Buehrle threw a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers in 2007 and a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009. Philip Humber threw another perfect game for Chicago in 2012, while Lucas Giolito recorded a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020. Each achievement became part of a larger pitching legacy associated with Cooper’s years in Chicago. Don Cooper and the 2005 World Series Championship For many White Sox fans, Cooper’s name will forever be linked to the unforgettable 2005 season. Chicago’s pitching staff played a central role in a postseason run that ended with the franchise’s first World Series championship since 1917. The White Sox went 11-1 during the postseason, finishing with a team postseason ERA of 2.55. One of the most remarkable stretches came during the American League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Angels. After losing the opening game, Chicago won four consecutive games behind complete-game performances from Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Freddy Garcia and Jose Contreras. The four consecutive complete games represented an extraordinary achievement in postseason baseball and helped propel the White Sox into the World Series. Chicago then swept the Houston Astros in four games. The championship became one of the defining moments in franchise history, and Cooper was an important member of the coaching staff behind that pitching success. For generations of White Sox supporters, the 2005 championship remains inseparable from memories of the pitching staff Cooper helped lead. Don Cooper as a Mentor and Coach Cooper’s influence extended beyond the mound. A coach who remains with one organization for more than three decades inevitably becomes part of the institutional memory of that franchise. Players arrive, managers change and teams evolve, but familiar coaches can provide continuity across generations. Cooper occupied that role for the White Sox. His responsibilities included helping pitchers prepare for games, refining their mechanics, managing workloads and developing young talent. Just as importantly, his long tenure gave him the opportunity to build relationships with players who would carry his influence into different stages of their careers. The tributes following his death have reflected that human side of his career. Former colleagues and players have remembered Cooper not simply for his technical knowledge of pitching, but also for the relationships he formed inside baseball clubhouses. Don Cooper Briefly Served as White Sox Manager Cooper’s responsibilities expanded briefly beyond pitching in 2011. After manager Ozzie Guillen departed near the conclusion of the season, Cooper served as interim manager for the White Sox’s final two games. He subsequently returned to his pitching-coach position. Cooper remained with the organization until the conclusion of the 2020 season, bringing an end to a White Sox coaching career that had begun in 1988. His departure closed one of the longest chapters of continuous service in the organization’s modern history. Don Cooper’s Personality and Character While Cooper’s professional résumé is filled with games, pitchers and championships, those who knew him often remember the person behind the statistics. Across decades in professional baseball, Cooper became a familiar figure to players and colleagues. His longevity allowed him to work with multiple generations of athletes and to develop relationships that extended beyond the baseball field. Tributes following his death have described him as a good coach and a good person, emphasizing the personal connections he established throughout his career. That combination of baseball knowledge, loyalty and human connection became an important part of Cooper’s identity. For many who worked with him, “Coop” was more than a pitching coach. He was a longtime colleague and friend whose presence became woven into the daily life of the White Sox organization. Don Cooper’s Family Cooper’s family confirmed his death and said he died peacefully at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee. His family has emphasized that while baseball was an important part of Cooper’s life, his love for his family and friends remained even more significant. Additional information about his surviving family members has not been broadly released, and their privacy should be respected during this time of mourning. For those closest to Cooper, his legacy extends beyond his professional accomplishments to the relationships and memories he created away from the ballpark. Don Cooper Cause of Death The specific cause of Don Cooper’s death has not been publicly disclosed. His family confirmed that he died peacefully at his Brentwood home on September 22, 2026, but no medical explanation has been announced. Accordingly, no illness, medical condition or other cause should be attributed to his death without confirmation from his family or another authoritative source. Chicago White Sox and Baseball Community Mourn Don Cooper The Chicago White Sox confirmed Cooper’s death on September 23 and extended condolences to his family, friends and the many people connected to the organization. Former colleagues and players also began remembering the longtime coach. Joey Cora, a former White Sox bench coach, remembered Cooper as both a great coach and a great person. Jermaine Dye, the Most Valuable Player of the 2005 World Series, also expressed his sadness following Cooper’s death. Their reactions reflect the breadth of Cooper’s baseball relationships. Over more than three decades, he worked alongside managers, coaches and players from numerous generations, leaving an imprint on people who experienced White Sox baseball during very different eras. Don Cooper’s Greatest Achievements Cooper’s professional accomplishments include: 33 seasons as a coach in the Chicago White Sox organization 18 full seasons as the White Sox major-league pitching coach Helping guide Chicago to the 2005 World Series championship Serving as interim White Sox manager for the final two games of the 2011 season Working with numerous accomplished pitchers, including Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Jose Contreras, Freddy Garcia, Chris Sale and Lucas Giolito Being part of a White Sox pitching staff that produced multiple no-hitters and perfect games during his coaching tenure His career demonstrated the impact that a coach can have over time — not necessarily through one individual achievement, but through thousands of interactions with players and colleagues. Don Cooper Obituary and Funeral Arrangements At the time of publication, funeral and memorial arrangements for Don Cooper had not yet been publicly announced. His family has indicated that additional information regarding arrangements will be communicated once details have been finalized. Those wishing to attend a funeral, memorial service or celebration of life should rely on information released directly by Cooper’s family or an authorized funeral provider. Remembering Don Cooper Don Cooper’s professional life lasted far longer than his playing career. As a major-league pitcher, his time on the field was measured in seasons and innings. As a coach, his influence lasted for decades. He became part of the fabric of the Chicago White Sox organization, helping generations of pitchers develop while contributing to some of the most memorable moments in franchise history. The 2005 championship will remain perhaps the brightest chapter of that legacy. But Cooper’s impact cannot be reduced to one championship. His legacy can also be found in the pitchers he coached, the colleagues he supported, the players he mentored and the friendships formed during more than 30 years in professional baseball. For White Sox fans, his name will forever be connected to the championship season that ended an 88-year wait for a World Series title. For the people who knew him personally, however, his memory will be defined by something more intimate: the man they knew as Don, or simply “Coop.” Final Update on Don Cooper’s Death As of September 23, 2026, the death of Don Cooper at age 70 has been confirmed by his family and the Chicago White Sox. He died peacefully at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee, on September 22. A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, and funeral arrangements remain pending. Cooper leaves behind a remarkable baseball legacy that includes 33 seasons with the Chicago White Sox organization, 18 full seasons as the club’s major-league pitching coach and a central role in the 2005 World Series championship. His career connected generations of White Sox players and fans, and his influence will remain part of the organization’s history. Frequently Asked Questions About Don Cooper Who was Don Cooper? Don Cooper was a former Major League Baseball pitcher and longtime Chicago White Sox pitching coach who spent 33 seasons as a coach in the organization from 1988 through 2020. How old was Don Cooper when he died? Don Cooper was 70 years old. When did Don Cooper pass away? Don Cooper died on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee. What was Don Cooper’s cause of death? His family has not publicly disclosed a cause of death. Was Don Cooper part of the 2005 White Sox World Series championship? Yes. Cooper was the White Sox pitching coach when Chicago won the 2005 World Series, the franchise’s first championship since 1917. How long did Don Cooper coach the White Sox? The Chicago White Sox credit Cooper with 33 seasons as a coach in the organization from 1988 through 2020, including 18 full seasons as the major-league pitching coach. Which pitchers did Don Cooper coach? Among the prominent pitchers who worked with Cooper were Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Jose Contreras, Freddy Garcia, Chris Sale and Lucas Giolito. Have Don Cooper’s funeral arrangements been announced? No. Funeral and memorial arrangements had not been publicly announced at the time of publication. The family is expected to provide additional information when arrangements are finalized. Family Statement and Information Disclaimer The Cooper family will share official details regarding funeral arrangements, memorial services and any celebration of life when those plans are finalized. Information here is for general information purposes only. While this obituary has been prepared from family statements, Chicago White Sox information, Major League Baseball records and established reporting, readers should independently verify funeral, visitation, memorial and donation information before making plans. Not all information appearing elsewhere on the internet is necessarily accurate or associated with the correct individual. Unverified social-media posts, outdated obituary records or information concerning other people named Don or Donald Cooper should not be treated as information about the former White Sox coach. The family remains the appropriate source for personal information and official service announcements. This obituary may be updated when additional verified information becomes publicly available. 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