Monte Coleman dies at age 68 : NPR

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Gregory Payan/AP PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Monte Coleman, the hard-nosed linebacker who gained three Tremendous Bowls with Washington and later coached Arkansas-Pine Bluff to a convention championship, has died. He was 68.

UAPB and the Commanders introduced his demise Sunday. No reason behind demise was disclosed.

"Monte Coleman was one of many biggest gamers in Washington historical past," Josh Harris, the Commanders' controlling proprietor, stated in a press release. "He was one of many pillars of our championship defenses having performed for all three Tremendous Bowl-winning groups. His sturdiness and management set the usual for what it meant to go well with up for the Burgundy & Gold."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2447+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F32%2F4a%2F0464501c41af918c189ee698de9a%2Fap26117043214214.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2447+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F32%2F4a%2F0464501c41af918c189ee698de9a%2Fap26117043214214.jpg" class="img" alt="New England Patriot Don Hasselbeck fights to hold on to a pass as Washington Redskin Monte Coleman tries to shake the ball loose, Oct. 25, 1981." loading="lazy"/> New England Patriot Don Hasselbeck fights to carry on to a move as Washington Redskin Monte Coleman tries to shake the ball free, Oct. 25, 1981. Scott Stewart/AP cover caption

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Scott Stewart/AP Born Nov. 4, 1957, in Pine Bluff, Coleman was a walk-on at Central Arkansas earlier than being drafted within the eleventh spherical by Washington in 1979. He would go on to play all 16 of his NFL seasons with the group, showing in 215 regular-season video games — second in franchise historical past behind Corridor of Fame cornerback Darrell Inexperienced.

Coleman is a member of the group's Ring of Honor and ranks second in franchise historical past in solo tackles.

"He might not have invented the place of nickel linebacker," then-general supervisor Charley Casserly stated when Coleman retired in 1995. "However he rose it to a degree which has not been seen since."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3342x1900+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc7%2Fc7%2Ff6aa068f4ceca9013644361b96aa%2Fap26117011906252.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3342x1900+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc7%2Fc7%2Ff6aa068f4ceca9013644361b96aa%2Fap26117011906252.jpg" class="img" alt="Arkansas-Pine Bluff head coach Monte Coleman argues a call in the first half of an NCAA college football game for the SWAC championship against Jackson State at Legion Field, in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012." loading="lazy"/> Arkansas-Pine Bluff head coach Monte Coleman argues a name within the first half of an NCAA faculty soccer sport for the SWAC championship towards Jackson State at Legion Area, in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. Dave Martin/AP cover caption

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Dave Martin/AP Coleman later grew to become a linebackers coach at UAPB after which took over as head coach after the 2007 season. He remained on the helm for a decade, successful the Southwestern Athletic Convention title in 2012.

"Coach Coleman represented every little thing we attempt for at UAPB," athletic director Chris Robinson stated. "Excellence, integrity, and a relentless dedication to growing our student-athletes. His legacy will not be solely written in championships and honors, however within the lives he modified each single day."