Stratford football hires Jerald Cook as coach, replacing Anthony Law

Stratford football hires Jerald Cook as coach, replacing Anthony Law

Stratford has hired Jerald Cook as its new football coach, the school announced on May 15.

Most recently Cook served as a volunteer football assistant Melrose in 2024. Prior to that he was the athletics director and football coach at Freedom Prep Academy from 2015-22 and had a career 32-25 record with four Class 2A playoff appearances.

He replaces Anthony Law who Stratford fired after three seasons. Law finished the 2025 season with a 3-7 record, reaching the Class 3A state playoffs before losing to Fairview 42-21. He finished with a 13-21 overall record.

"Coach Cook understands greatness begins with character, hard work, and academicexcellence," Stratford principal Dr. Michael 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 coaching hire for Metro Nashville Public Schools in the past two months, joining Montario Hardesty (James Lawson), Jamaal Stewart (Hillsboro) and Nicholas Haddock (McGavock).

"When I started the program at Freedom Prep there were a lot of challenges that went along with that," Cook 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."

Cook said he was drawn to Stratford's STEM program with its emphasis on Math and Science and that he is already familiar with the Nashville community, having played college football at Tennessee State (2004-09).

"I understand Nashville and the community," he said. "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."