James Cahoon, 'big star' in QB coaching realm, to play final season at Bridgewater State

BRIDGEWATER – When Adam Couch made the transfer from Assumption University to Bridgewater State in 2020, then-sophomore quarterback James Cahoon was one of the first connections he made.

"Right away, he took me in," said Couch, a standout running back, who, like Cahoon, enters his fifth-year season of college football.

Since the two met and first shared the backfield, the Bears have gone on to clinch back-to-back winning seasons and Cahoon, a Buzzards Bay native and 2019 Bourne High graduate, has written his name many times in the program's record books.

"He's grown from a kid to a man, at this point," head coach Joe Verria said of Cahoon. "He's a totally different quarterback than he was three years ago. We're lucky to have him."

In his first two years as a starter in 2021 and 2022, Cahoon set program highs in completion percentage for a season (.626, set in 2022), most TDs in a game (six, against Fitchburg State in 2022), passing yard in a game (357, vs Plymouth State in 2022) and most passing yards in a season (2,658 in 2022, which beat out the previous high mark of 2,308 Cahoon set in 2021).

For his career, Cahoon ranks third at 4,966 passing yards (Danny Hudgin's 6,091 is No. 1), 43 passing TDs and 16 interceptions. Last fall, he generated 2,746 yards of total offense, which ranks second all-time behind the mark of 2,850 set by Mike McCarthy in 2013.

"James brings it all. Great leader," Couch said. "He cares so much about this team. On top of that, he's so skilled. He can throw the ball really well. ... Having him as my right-hand man all the time on the field is definitely a blessing. I'm grateful to have him here."

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"He's developed so much every year," added Couch. "He puts in the hours in the offseason to make it happen. Definitely proud of him in that way."

Cahoon's offseasons consist of staying around the game, coaching high school quarterbacks as one of the many past and present Bridgewater State names to coach within the M2 QB Academy, which McCarthy, a BSU Hall-of-Famer, founded in 2018.

It's an avenue Cahoon wants to continue riding after his playing days. He majors in physical education and wants to one day be a coach and gym teacher: "I want to take this game – obviously my playing days will be over – and I want to be a coach. I've always wanted to do that. My biggest passion is helping people and seeing them get better."

“He is going to be a phenomenal quarterbacks coach when he’s done playing," McCarthy said. "He’s a big star in the industry. We’re lucky to have him on our side.”

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"Once you play enough football and you understand the mechanics and learn from so many great people ... you learn certain things you can help the youth with," Cahoon said. "That's the ultimate goal: setting an example and help them develop their game."

Cahoon first joined the M2 QB Academy when he first enrolled at Bridgewater State in 2019. His freshman season, he appeared in two games and recorded one play: a nine-yard rush in a season-opening 39-7 loss to Morrisville State.

Two years later, he ascended to take the starting job in 2021 and led the Bears to a 6-4 record – the program's fourth winning season in five years under Verria – while amassing a program-best 2,308 passing yards (230 per game) in 10 starts. He threw 16 touchdowns and 8 interceptions that year.

"I always heard that he was one of the best players on the team (when I first transferred here), so that (2021 season) didn't shock me too much," Couch said. "It was nice to know that when I was transferring, I was coming in with a solid quarterback. He's gotten better over time, every year."

That veteran experience will be leaned upon this fall as Bridgewater State aims for its fifth consecutive season with a winning record. Last year, the Bears started 0-3 and finished the season winners of seven of the last eight to end with a 7-4 record.

Cahoon, of course, will be one of the headlining contributors to this year's cause.

"He knows everything about the offense," Verria said. "His poise, his knowledge, his attitude and his mindset (are the key factors). He's confident."

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: BSU's Cahoon, 'big star' in coaching realm, has final QB season ahead