Casey Cochran won the the 2014 starting quarterback job at UConn. (USATSI)
Casey Cochran won the the 2014 starting quarterback job at UConn. (USATSI)
Connecticut quarterback Casey Cochran is retiring from football after a series of concussions, the Huskies announced Monday.

A redshirt sophomore from Monroe, Conn., Cochran started the final four games of the Huskies' 2013 season, winning three, and earned the 2014 starting job in a battle over senior Chandler Whitmer.

Cochran completed 17 of 31 passes against BYU in UConn's season opener but left the game with a head injury.

"A silver lining in this matter is that Casey has an interest in pursuing a career in coaching," Huskies coach Bob Diaco said in a statement. "We can now accelerate his development in that area as he transitions from a player role to a mentor role as he continues to serve the team."

Per the announcement, "the UConn Division of Athletics medical staff and the Cochran family" came together to decide Cochran "will permanently discontinue playing football due to [his] sustaining multiple concussions during his career."

Whitmer played the entirety of UConn's 19-16 win over FCS Stony Brook last Saturday, completing 12 of 27 passes for 142 yards with a touchdown. Whitmer also led the Huskies with 29 yards rushing and coughed up fumble in the first quarter.