They were both located in the same hallway. Cohen stated that Ross was fast on his way. “He was going places.” Bjork stated that John was a sharp and charismatic man. “I’m not surprised by his success.” They have kept in touch over the years, as their careers took divergent paths that led them to become athletic directors at arch-rival schools 90 miles away in north Mississippi. Cohen was one of the first people Bjork contacted about potential candidates when he had a job opening at Western Kentucky as a baseball coach. Bjork said he didn’t know Cohen had ambitions to move from baseball into athletic administration. Bjork stated, “It’s great to see him get that chance in the Southeastern Conference.” Cohen’s former bosses are positive about Cohen. Cohen will have connections across the Southeastern Conference, including at the top. Greg Sankey, the SEC Commissioner, was the Southland Conference commissioner when Southland Conference member Northwestern(La.). John Cohen was a young coach at State. Cohen spent four seasons at Northwestern State, winning two league championships before moving on to Florida, Kentucky, and finally MSU. Sankey was in Birmingham, watching the MSU press conference to announce Cohen’s hiring from his computer. Sankey stated that people saw John Cohen in his real form without the sunglasses and cap. Sankey stated that he saw a thoughtful, intelligent person who is confident in his abilities. Sankey stated that “nearly every successful baseball coach” he’s ever known has administrative skills and can relate to people. Sankey stated that he will be in Starkville Saturday to coach State’s game against Texas A & M.