Coach Ed Cochrane

Born on November 30, 1942, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, Ed was the son of Betty Knepp Cochrane and the late John Cochrane. He grew up in Curwensville, Pennsylvania, alongside his brother Dave Cochrane of Rochester, New York. From an early age, Ed showed a deep love of sports, playing football, basketball, and baseball at Curwensville High School before attending Slippery Rock University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education. He then attended East Stroudsburg State College to obtain his Masters of Education in Health and Physical Education.

After college, Ed began his career at Tyrone High School, teaching physical education and coaching high school basketball for the Golden Eagles. He led the team to an undefeated season (22-0) in 1970-71, becoming the Mountain League Champions and the only unbeaten team in District 6 of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. The Pennsylvania Senate formally honored Ed with a Senate Resolution, expressing their congratulations and recognition of his outstanding accomplishment. His leadership, enthusiasm, and connection with students soon led him to Bucks County, where he joined Pennsbury High School. It was there that he would spend the majority of his career and leave a legacy that continues to shape the Pennsbury community today.

At Pennsbury, Ed served as a physical education teacher, junior high athletic director, and most notably, head coach of the Pennsbury Boys Basketball Team from 1971 to 1986. Over 15 seasons, Coach Cochrane built one of the most respected programs in Lower Bucks County, compiling a record of 207 wins and 157 losses (.567). His teams won four Lower Bucks County League Championships (1973, 1974, 1978, and 1980) and made multiple state tournament appearances, including a memorable District One Final Four run and Sweet 16 state playoff berth in 1980.

Beyond the numbers, Coach Cochrane was known for his integrity, discipline, and ability to inspire his players to reach their full potential — lessons that carried far beyond the basketball court. His dedication was honored with induction into the Pennsbury Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2018, he was then inducted into the Bucks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in the Legends category.

Ed’s personal life was as full as his professional one. From his first marriage, he had three children — Scott, Danae, and Eric. Though life brought its challenges, including the heartbreaking loss of Eric at a young age, Ed remained a devoted father and was proud of the paths his children forged and the families they built. Scott, who while in high school shared his father’s passion for basketball and golf, receiving scholarships in both, chose an alternate path and is a very skilled mechanic and owner of a successful auto body shop in Langhorne and Danae is a registered nurse, caring for the lives of thousands throughout her career.

In time, Ed met the love of his life, Diane Fritsch, a fellow physical education teacher at Pennsbury. They married in 1976 and became not only lifelong partners, but truly Mr. and Mrs. Pennsbury — both dedicating their careers to the school and its students. Together, they raised three sons — E.J., Corey, and Clayton — each of whom carried forward their father’s drive, character, and excellence in their own unique ways.

E.J. went on to play Division I football as a placekicker for West Virginia University and then Montana State University, later signing with several NFL teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, and Green Bay Packers. Clayton excelled in soccer, playing for Marshall University, and professionally for West Virginia FC in the United Soccer League. Corey instead focused on academics, earning Bachelor and Master degrees in electrical engineering, and a doctoral degree in physics. He is now employed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, contributing to NASA flagship missions that are helping to unlock the mysteries of our solar system.

Together, the Cochranes form one of the most decorated families in Pennsbury history. In addition to Ed’s own Pennsbury Athletic Hall of Fame induction in 2002, Diane was honored for Distinguished Service in 2023, while their sons E.J. (2011) and Clayton (2018) were each inducted for their individual achievements in football, soccer, and basketball, while Corey was inducted into the Pennsbury’s Hall of Fame in 2023 for his contributions in the field of science — making the Cochrane name synonymous with Pennsbury pride and tradition.

Not only does the Cochrane name live on through the accomplishments of his children, but also through the work of their families — including multiple nurses and healthcare aides who dedicate their lives to caring for others, an award winning sports reporter and anchor for an NBC-affiliate in Knoxville Tennessee, and a Walt Disney Animation Studios Marketing Executive, who ensures the Cochrane name is credited in the more recent Disney animated films cherished by millions around the world.

Ed is survived by his loving wife Diane, his children Scott (Rhonda), Danae (late Randy), E.J. (Amy), Corey (Andrea), Clayton (Lindsey), his brother Dave (Fran), grandchildren Emilie Rae, Ashley (Nate), Victoria (Andrew), Luke, Harper, Andrew, Avery, Kaley, Andrew, and Connor and great-grandchildren Lainey and Anna. Ed is also survived by his beloved mother, Betty, who at 102 years old, continues to live in DuBois, Pennsylvania — a testament to the strength that clearly runs in the Cochrane family. He will also be remembered by countless former students, colleagues, and players whose lives he touched with his mentorship, compassion, and unwavering dedication.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025 at James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, 2200 Trenton Rd, Levittown, PA 19056, where family, friends, and generations of former players will gather to honor the legacy of a man who embodied excellence both on and off the court. The gathering time will take place from 4:00pm-5:30pm with the open floor service starting at 5:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pennsbury Basketball Program or the Jimmy Valvano Foundation for Cancer Research (a charity formed after the former basketball coach at North Carolina State University, was diagnosed with cancer in 1992.) in memory of Coach Ed Cochrane — a teacher, coach, husband, and father whose impact will forever live on through his family and the thousands of lives he inspired.