Cochran resigns as New London baseball coach

Jack Cochran was named baseball coach of the New London a couple of months ago, but he won’t get a chance to ever step foot in the dugout.
Cochran handed in his resignation to athletic director Bob Brackett Friday after Brackett told him that he had committed an offseason practice violation and the school was going to report the incident to the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
New London High principal Dan Sullivan said that he had received a report that Cochran had committed violations and asked Brackett to investigate.
“(Brackett) determined that on a minimum of three occasions, Jack had provided access to (the school’s) facilities during which time parents and students participated in hitting drills and other baseball-related activities,” Sullivan said.
Cochran admitted that he did open up the New London gym for the parents.
“I didn’t know (that it was a violation),” Cochran said. “I was trying to do something good for parents and kids who didn’t have the resources on their own. I wish it never happened.”
It’s the second time in three sports seasons that New London has had to self report a violation involving Cochran, he was also cited in the fall for allowing eighth grade students to participate in a New London football practice and the school was fined by the CIAC.
“I’m certainly concerned, I’m certainly disappointed and I’m sure that it’s something the (CIAC) Board of Control will look at seriously,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he didn’t know if this would affect Cochran’s status as football coach in the fall, saying it was “up to the Board of Control.” Cochran said he hoped his resignation as baseball coach was punishment enough and that he hadn’t even considered any ramifications when it came to football.
Cochran led the Whalers to a state championship this past fall and was named the Norwich Bulletin Coach of the Year.