Longtime Washington LB, former Arkansas Pine Bluff coach Monte Coleman dies at 68
Monte Coleman spent 16 seasons with Washington and was inducted into the team's Ring of Fame in 2015.
Longtime Washington linebacker and former Arkansas Pine Bluff head coach Monte Coleman died on Sunday, the university announced. He was 68. A legend.
A leader. A Golden Lion forever. ๐๏ธ๐ฆ We mourn the loss of Coach Monte Coleman, whose impact on UAPB Football and countless lives will never be forgotten.
Forever in our hearts ๐ pic. twitter. com/qE94K5b5s6 โ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ (@UAPBLionsRoar) April 26, 2026 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 franchiseโs 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.