He played football as a wide receiver, defensive back, and kick returner, and also excelled at track and basketball, at St. Mary's College High School in Berkeley, California.

Coogler, who is married and has two children with his wife, Zinzi Evans, first heard Metallica when he was playing college football at Saint Mary's College of California.

Ryan Coogler celebrates his 39th birthday, and what a journey it’s been from his humble beginnings in Oakland to reshaping the entire landscape of modern cinema.

He played football as a wide receiver, defensive back, and kick returner, and also excelled at track and basketball, at St. Mary's College High School in Berkeley, California.