Cooper will leave the Wellington-based franchise at the end of May in order to take up the Taranaki job after Adrian Kennedy resigned last month.
"Taranaki has always been home to me and I have been away from my family for the last nine years, which has been hard on them and on me," Cooper told UKPA.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of being involved with the Hurricanes franchise and still have plenty left to achieve during the 2010 campaign.
"By taking up this position with Taranaki I am able to remain in the region and continue to help develop players for the franchise."
"It is an exciting challenge for me and one I am very much looking forward to."
Cooper had hinted earlier this year that the 2010 season would be his last with the Hurricanes and now Hurricanes chief executive Greg Peters says that the search would now begin for a replacement.
A strong contender for the position is Highlanders assistant coach Peter Russell who is also Hawke's Bay coach
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