National Football Foundation

A 6-foot-1, 210-pound linebacker for the Auburn Tigers, John Cochran was a crucial part of the 1965 Tigers team that earned a spot in the Liberty Bowl. He was twice named to the Academic All-SEC team, and he was a member of ODK, Phi Eta Sigma and Tau Beta Pi.

Cochran earned his bachelor’s and master’s in aerospace engineering from Auburn, and he received his doctorate in aerospace engineering at Texas. Cochran completed his J.D. from Faulkner University (Ala.), and he is a licensed attorney in the state of Alabama.

He served as a professor in aerospace engineering at Auburn for almost 50 years, and he is currently Professor Emeritus. Cochran retired in 2013 as professor and head of the aerospace engineering department, a position he had held since 1993.

He is the author or co-author of more than 150 published papers and reports. Cochran served as a consultant to engineering firms and corporations, having worked with NASA and the U.S. Army Missile Command. In 2012, he received the Walter Gilbert Award, given annually to former Auburn athletes who have distinguished themselves through achievements after graduation from Auburn. He is currently an aerospace engineer professor at Auburn University.