Received his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Auburn University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. While at Auburn, he performed with many of the University's ensembles, including the Auburn University Marching Band, the Auburn University Symphonic Band, the Auburn University Jazz Band, the Auburn University Concert Choir, and the AU Singers. He was the Trumpet Section Leader of the Auburn University Marching Band for three years before working as a graduate teaching assistant for two years. He also played lead trumpet with the Auburn Knights Orchestra. As an undergraduate student, he worked as a band camp instructor and drum major instructor for several high schools in East and South Alabama.

Prior to beginning his teaching career, Mr. Cothran performed professionally on Renaissance, Carnival, and Celebrity cruise lines and as a freelance musician in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, he performed with several theater companies in musical productions.

Before coming to Prattville, Mr. Cothran worked with the Sparkman High School Band and the Sparkman Ninth Grade School Band. While at Sparkman, his bands received superior ratings in both marching and concert performances at the local, state, and national levels. They performed in the Outback Bowl Parade in Tampa, Florida, the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington D.C., and several other festivals around the country.

Mr. Cothran is a Past President of the Delta Psi chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He is also a member of Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Kappa Kappa Psi band service fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa honor society for leadership and scholastic achievement, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honorary, and Kappa Delta Pi Education Honorary. He is married to Sara Compton Cothran of Birmingham, Alabama.