Friends mourn death of C.B. West track coach Jim Cogan

Whenever Central Bucks East athletic director John Reading needed a clock operator for a soccer, football or basketball game, he knew he could count on Jim Cogan.

Cogan, a 1995 graduate of the school, worked in the facilities department of the Central Bucks School District and was an assistant track coach for the Central Bucks West track teams. Cogan also worked as a security guard at football games.

Reading spent much of Thursday recalling how much Cogan had helped out over the years after learning that the popular 33-year old had been killed in a single-car accident early Wednesday morning while returning to his Hilltown home. Hilltown police said Cogan's Toyota plunged into a creek after striking a guardrail and a bridge abutment. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Jim was one of those guys who would do anything for you," Reading said. "He was a coach here for a number of years before going to West. Just a nice outgoing guy."

Reading said that Cogan ran track and played football before graduating from East. He was a pole vaulter and javelin thrower for the track team.

"I don't believe he held any track records at the school, but he came close in the javelin," Reading said.

East principal Kevin Nunnelly said Cogan cleared 12-feet-8 in the pole vault and threw the javelin 188 feet. Cogan specialized in the javelin, discus and shot put as part of his duties with the girls' and boys' teams at West.

Central Bucks South athletic director Mike Dougherty remembers Cogan in an accounting class he taught at East.

"Jim always had a smile on his face and some jokes to tell," Dougherty said. "He was fun to have in class.

Cogan leaves his wife, Jessica, and a 5-year-old daughter, Hannah. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Contact staff writer Don Beideman at 267-815-0733 or dbeideman@phillynews.com.