Three-time Super Bowl champion with Washington and college football coach Monte Coleman died at the age of 68, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff announced on Sunday.
No cause of death was revealed.
The Pine Bluff native played 16 seasons in the National Football League with Washington and was part of Super Bowl-winning teams in 1982, 1987 and 1991.
Coleman later took a job as linebackers coach at Division I FCS Arkansas-Pine Bluff and then eventually took over as head coach after the 2007 season.
“Coach Coleman represented everything we strive for at UAPB: excellence, integrity, and a relentless commitment to developing our student-athletes,” UAPB vice chancellor and director of athletics 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.”
Coleman, who was inducted into Washington’s Ring of Fame in 2015, was described as “one of the greatest players” in the franchise’s history by controlling owner Josh Harris.
“He was one of the pillars of our championship defenses having played for all three Super Bowl-winning teams. His durability and leadership set the standard for what it meant to suit up for the Burgundy & Gold,” he said.
Coleman recorded 1,002 total tackles, 49.5 sacks, 17 interceptions and 13 forced fumbles during his NFL career after being taken in the 11th round of the 1979 NFL Draft by Washington.
He had been a walk-on at Central Arkansas and was the first player drafted in the program’s history.
Coleman ended up serving as head coach at Arkansas-Pine Bluff for 10 seasons and took the program to the SWAC championship in 2012.
Coleman is survived by his wifr Yvette and children Jasmine, Kyndall, Kyle, Corey and Londie.
Funeral arrangements and information about a memorial service will be made public at a later date.
