A system and method for multiple relay node operation in a communications system are provided. A method for communications controller operation includes receiving a report from a communications node served by a communications controller, the report includes channel measurements of channels between the communications node and neighboring communications devices, establishing a cooperative operation for the communications node with communications devices neighboring the communications node based on the received report, and transmitting information to communications devices in the cooperative operation. The neighboring communications devices in the cooperative operation forward the information to the communications node.