Stratford High School has a new leader on the gridiron. The Spartans announced the hiring of Jerald Cook as their head football coach on May 15, bringing in a seasoned West Tennessee coach to revitalize the program.

Cook comes to Stratford after a brief stint as a volunteer assistant at Melrose in 2024, but his real credentials were built at Freedom Prep Academy, where he served as both athletic director and head coach from 2015 to 2022. During that tenure, he posted a solid 32-25 record and led the team to four Class 2A playoff appearances—no small feat for a program he helped build from the ground up.

He takes over for Anthony Law, who was dismissed after three seasons. Law's final year in 2025 ended with a 3-7 record, though the Spartans did reach the Class 3A playoffs before falling to Fairview 42-21. His overall record at Stratford was 13-21.

Stratford principal Dr. Michael Pratt expressed confidence in Cook's ability to turn things around, emphasizing the coach's focus on character and discipline. "Coach Cook understands greatness begins with character, hard work, and academic excellence," Pratt said in a school release. "Through intentional mentorship he will ensure the Spartan Football Program has the discipline to not just compete but dominate – winning in the classroom and on the field."

Cook is the fourth new football coach hired by Metro Nashville Public Schools in the past two months, joining Montario Hardesty (James Lawson), Jamaal Stewart (Hillsboro), and Nicholas Haddock (McGavock)—a clear sign that the district is investing heavily in its athletic future.

For Cook, the appeal of Stratford goes beyond the football field. "When I started the program at Freedom Prep there were a lot of challenges that went along with that," he told The Tennessean. "But here at Stratford, this program is well established. The school is vibrant and passionate. They just need someone to come in and establish a new culture."

A former college player at Tennessee State (2004-2009), Cook is no stranger to the Nashville community. He said he was particularly drawn to Stratford's STEM program, with its emphasis on math and science—values he plans to weave into the team's identity. "I understand Nashville and the community," he added. "I also did my research on Stratford so I know how much they take pride on the academic side. Those are all the things I want to instill into this team, going into the 2026 season."

With a proven track record of building programs and a deep connection to the area, Cook looks poised to write the next chapter for Spartan football—one built on grit, academics, and a winning mindset.