Don Cooper, a beloved coach vital to the success of the Chicago White Sox for two decades, died Wednesday.
The White Sox announced Wednesday that Cooper has died at the age of 70. No cause of death was provided.
The White Sox send our condolences to the family, friends and fans of Don Cooper, who has passed away at 70.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 23, 2026
Don Cooper spent 33 seasons as a coach in the White Sox organization from 1988-2020, including 18 full seasons as the major-league pitching coach. Cooper served as the… pic.twitter.com/vrPw4CyWWz
Cooper spent 32 seasons as part of the White Sox organization. He became pitching coach in 2002, and was regarded as one of the best pitching coaches in the game throughout his tenure. Notably, he filled that role on the 2005 World Series winners, a team that was remembered for its dominant pitching throughout the postseason.
Such was Cooper’s importance to the organization that he was retained by subsequent managers even after Ozzie Guillen’s 2011 departure. The White Sox dismissed him after the 2020 season.
A native of New York, Cooper also appeared in 44 MLB games as a pitcher between 1981 and 1985.
