Where Are They Now? From state champion at Ashland to Oregon Ducks star to the NFL, Chad Cota had a storybook football life

By Dave Ball 

Southern Oregon native Chad Cota helped put Ashland football on the map in the late 1980s and would go on to a lengthy professional career. 

Cota started to realize his potential after earning a spot with the Grizzlies his sophomore year — a season that ended in the big-school semifinals. 

“By then, I felt I had a chance and I started setting my goals that way,” Cota said. “I made sure I got my body right, putting on weight, getting bigger, faster, stronger.”

The team reached the quarterfinals his junior year before putting together a perfect 14-0 season in 1989. Cota played a big role in keeping the Grizzlies undefeated, making a late touchdown grab to push Ashland past North Medford 21-14 on homecoming night.

The Grizzlies rolled through the playoffs, forcing a rematch against league rival Roseburg for the championship.

Early in the game, Cota came up with an acrobatic one-handed interception — a play that gave a boost to Ashland as well as to his college plans. 

“I heard that Rich Brooks (Oregon Ducks coach) saw that play, and that’s what cemented me getting a scholarship,” Cota said.

The Grizzlies won the hard-fought battle 24-22 with Matt Wells supplying the winning points on a short field goal with 1:07 to play.

“We wanted to win a state title. We set that goal as seventh and eighth graders, and we put in a lot of work to get there,” Cota said.

The school’s first title would set the tone for the Grizzlies program that would return to the championship game three times over the next four seasons, winning it all again in 1991.

“Coach (Jim) Nagel was always really goal-oriented and very organized, and I took a lot of life lessons from that,” Cota said. “He was all about preparation and getting us ready to win. It seemed like we were always one step ahead.” 

Cota enjoyed a storied career at the University of Oregon. As a senior, he helped guide the Ducks to their first Rose Bowl berth in 37 years. He was inducted to the school’s Hall of Fame in 2012.

Chad and his wife of 25 years, Christina, have two college-age sons in Chase and Carson. The family has reason to make weekend trips to Autzen Stadium this fall with Chase, a wide receiver, transferring to Oregon for his senior year.

“Watching your kid play Division I football, there is a lot of pride in that, and it was a lot of fun going to the spring game this year and seeing him in a Duck uniform — that was pretty special,” Cota said.

Cota had an eight-year NFL career after being picked by the expansion Carolina Panthers in their inaugural draft class. He made a career-high five interceptions in his second season, which saw the Panthers reach the NFC championship game.

“When you get drafted in the seventh round, you are only going to get so many opportunities, and I was able to take advantage of the ones that came my way,” Cota said. “I was blessed with a durable body and was able to stay healthy — I avoided suffering that big injury.”

In his post-playing career, Cota returned to Southern Oregon, where he works as a general contractor focused on residential building.

“I enjoy design and it keeps me busy. Our families are involved in it, so it was easy to get into after retiring,” Cota said. “Southern Oregon is home. It’s where family is.”

He served as a secondary coach at South Medford when his boys were going to the school and continues a connection with the program in the role of an adviser. 

“I enjoy being around football — the sport just brings you in,” Cota said.