Longtime Washington LB, former Arkansas Pine Bluff coach Monte Coleman dies at 64

Longtime Washington linebacker and former Arkansas Pine Bluff head coach Monte Coleman died on Sunday, the university announced. 

He was 64. 

Coleman spent his entire 16 year NFL career with Washington, which first selected him in the 11th round of the 1979 draft. He quickly became a fixture in the franchise’s defense, and even led the league with 118 total tackles during his second season in 1980. In total, Coleman finished with 1,002 combined tackles and 49.5 sacks by the time he retired after the 1994 campaign. He had 17 interceptions, too, including three that he ran back for touchdowns. 

Coleman helped Washington win three Super Bowl titles during his time there, too, first in 1982 and then again in 1987 and 1991. He played in 215 career games, which is the second-most in Washington franchise history behind only Darrell Green. He was inducted into the team’s Ring of Fame in 2015.

Coleman played at the University of Central Arkansas, and was the first player from that NAIA program to be selected in the NFL Draft. He set a then-school record with 22 interceptions during his time there, too.

Coleman then returned to Arkansas after his playing career ended and joined the coaching staff at Arkansas Pine Bluff. He was promoted to head coach ahead of the 2008 season, and ended up posting a 40-71 overall record while leading the Golden Lions to the SWAC title in 2012. He split with the university in 2017 after his contract expired. 

“Coach Coleman represented everything we strive for at UAPB excellence, integrity, and a relentless commitment to developing our student-athletes,” UAPB athletic director Chris Robinson said in a statement. “His legacy is not only written in championships and honors, but in the lives he changed every single day.”