Former Columbia University football player and Houston-area native dies unexpectedly, university confirms

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Columbia University is mourning the death of one of its former athletes, who is also a Houston-area native.

The university shared the news of former football player 24-year-old Parker Coogan's death on its website.

Coogan, who the university says worked as a sales and trading analyst, was visiting family and friends in Kingwood when he suddenly died.

"We are devastated, shocked, and saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Parker Coogan," Columbia's head coach Al Bagnoli said. "Parker was the epitome of what every program wants in a football player and student-athlete."

According to Columbia's website, Coogan was a two-time All-Ivy League selection. As an offensive lineman, he played 32 games for Columbia and graduated in 2020 with a degree in economics.

While at Kingwood High School, Coogan also played three years of varsity football and was a National Merit Scholar.

The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office has not determined a cause of death.