View source for Ben Coates

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1969)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{BLP sources|date=January 2010}}
{{Infobox gridiron football biography
| image       = 
| position    = [[Tight end]]
| number      = 87, 81
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1969|8|16}}
| birth_place = [[Greenwood, South Carolina]], U.S.
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 5
| weight_lbs  = 245
| draftyear   = 1991
| draftround  = 5
| draftpick   = 124
| high_school = [[Greenwood High School (South Carolina)|Greenwood]]
| college     = [[Livingstone Blue Bears football|Livingstone]] (1987-1990)
| teams       =
* [[New England Patriots]] ([[1991 NFL season|1991]]–[[1999 NFL season|1999]])
* [[Baltimore Ravens]] ([[2000 NFL season|2000]])
| highlights  =
* [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXXV|XXXV]])
* 2× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1994 All-Pro Team|1994]], [[1995 All-Pro Team|1995]])
* Second-team All-Pro ([[1998 All-Pro Team|1998]])
* 5× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1995 Pro Bowl|1994]]–[[1999 Pro Bowl|1998]])
* [[National Football League 1990s All-Decade Team|NFL 1990s All-Decade Team]]
* [[New England Patriots|New England Patriots All-1990s Team]]
* [[New England Patriots|New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team]]
* [[New England Patriots#Patriots Hall of Fame|New England Patriots Hall of Fame]]
| statlabel1  = [[Reception (American football)|Reception]]s
| statvalue1  = 499
| statlabel2  = Receiving yards
| statvalue2  = 5,555
| statlabel3  = [[Touchdowns]]
| statvalue3  = 50
| pfr         = C/CoatBe00 
}}

'''Ben Terrence Coates Jr.''' (born August 16, 1969) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] [[tight end]] who played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for 10 seasons, primarily with the [[New England Patriots]]. He played [[college football]] for the [[Livingstone Blue Bears football|Livingstone Blue Bears]] and was selected by the Patriots in the fifth round of the [[1991 NFL draft]], where spent all but one season of his NFL career. In his final season, he was a member of the [[Baltimore Ravens]].

During his nine seasons with the Patriots, Coates received five [[Pro Bowl]] and two first-team [[All-Pro]] selections. He also made an appearance in [[Super Bowl XXXI]]. After being released by the Patriots, Coates signed with the Ravens and was part of the team that won [[Super Bowl XXXV]]. Coates pursued a coaching career following his retirement, serving as the head coach at his alma mater Livingstone and the tight ends coach for the [[Cleveland Browns]]. He was named to the second [[National Football League 1990s All-Decade Team|NFL 1990s All-Decade Team]] in 2000 and inducted to the [[New England Patriots#Patriots Hall of Fame|New England Patriots Hall of Fame]] in 2008.

==Early life==
Coates was born on August 16, 1969, in [[Greenwood, South Carolina]], the youngest of eight children<ref name=":0">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3YOQcgupbc |title=NFL Legend Ben Coates opens up about career moments and untold life stories |date=2023-09-26 |last=ADSN TV |access-date=2025-07-25 |via=YouTube}}</ref> of Ben Coates Sr. and Mozella Coates. His oldest brother Gary Coates, was a significant influence, pushing him towards college and staying committed to working out and catching balls daily. Coates did not play football until his [[Senior (education)|senior]] year at [[Greenwood High School (South Carolina)|Greenwood High School]]. 
[[File:Ben Coates Livingstone College.jpg|thumb|Ben Coates, Livingstone College]]

At Livingstone, Coates became a multi-sport athlete, competing in both [[college football|football]] and [[college basketball|basketball]]. On the football field, he emerged as a dominant tight end, setting school records with 103 receptions for 1,268 yards and 18 touchdowns. He joined [[Phi Beta Sigma]] Fraternity, becoming a member through the Untouchable Upsilon Chapter on campus. Despite playing in the CIAA, a small-school [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] conference with limited national attention, Coates’s on-field production made him one of the top tight end prospects in the country. He was later inducted into the [[Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association]] (CIAA) Hall of Fame in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ben Coates (2018) - CIAA Hall of Fame Members |url=https://theciaa.com/hof.aspx?hof=281 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=theciaa.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Professional career==
Considered an out-of-nowhere prospect, Coates was selected in the fifth round of the [[1991 NFL draft]] by the [[New England Patriots]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-07 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="patriots">{{cite web|url=http://www.patriots.com/alumni/index.cfm?ac=alumnibiosdetail&bio=593|title=87 Ben Coates TE, Alumbi/bio detail|publisher=New England Patriots|access-date=February 2, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114152700/http://www.patriots.com/alumni/index.cfm?ac=alumnibiosdetail&bio=593|archive-date=November 14, 2009}}</ref> His first two years with the Patriots were fairly uneventful; in his rookie year he had ten catches for 95 yards and a two-yard touchdown against the [[Indianapolis Colts]] that forced overtime in a 23–17 Patriots win. In his second season, he had 20 catches for 171 yards and three touchdowns.

His career changed with the 1993 arrival of [[quarterback]] [[Drew Bledsoe]] and [[head coach]] [[Bill Parcells]] to the Patriots franchise. Parcells, known for his reliance on tight ends, frequently used then-[[rookie]] quarterback Bledsoe on passes to Coates, and the tight end led the Patriots in receptions in 1993 with 53 catches for 629 yards and eight scores, two of them in New England's season-ending overtime win over [[1993 Miami Dolphins season|Miami]].

In 1994, his breakout year, he caught 96 passes, the most ever for a tight end to that point,<ref>{{cite web|last=Rank|first=Adam|url=http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap2000000324888/NFL-players-from-historically-black-colleges|title=NFL players from historically black colleges|publisher=[[National Football League]]|date=February 10, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2014}}</ref> breaking a record previously set by [[Todd Christensen]] in 1986 (the record was later broken by [[Tony Gonzalez]] in 2004), for 1,174 yards receiving, the only time in his career he would gain 1,000 yards in a receiving season, while also scoring seven touchdowns. He appeared in his first of five consecutive [[Pro Bowl]]s.

In 1996, Coates had 62 catches for 682 yards and nine touchdowns; the most dramatic was against the [[New York Giants]] in the final game of the regular season as he caught a 12-yard pass and bulled through Giants defenders for the game-winning score of a 23–22 New England win. His efforts helped New England to a championship appearance in [[Super Bowl XXXI]]. His team lost the game, 35–21, but he had a good performance in it, leading the Patriots in receiving with 6 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. From 1995 to 1998, he caught 84, 62, 66, and 67 passes, respectively, in those four seasons.

After the 1999 season, which saw a significant decline in production, Coates was released by the Patriots. He subsequently played for the [[Baltimore Ravens]], where he climbed the all-time receiving charts and won [[Super Bowl XXXV]] in the process. When Coates was released by the Ravens in the following year, he decided to retire, having become the fourth all-time leading receiver at tight end in NFL history, behind [[Ozzie Newsome]], former teammate [[Shannon Sharpe]], and [[Kellen Winslow]]. Coates played in 158 games with 499 receptions for 5,555 yards and 50 touchdowns.

After retiring, Coates returned to Livingstone College, where he was head coach, and also coached in [[NFL Europe]]. In 2004, he served an internship with the [[Dallas Cowboys]] as an assistant for the tight ends, reuniting him with head coach Parcells. In March 2005, Coates was named the tight ends coach for the [[Cleveland Browns]], replacing [[Rob Chudzinski]], under head coach [[Romeo Crennel]], who had been the defensive line coach of the Patriots while Coates was with the team.

It was announced on July 7, 2008, that Coates would be inducted into the [[New England Patriots#Patriots Hall of Fame|New England Patriots Hall of Fame]]. During his playing days with the Patriots, Coates was a fan favorite and was given the nickname "Winter" (as in "winter coat"), in addition to Ben "[[Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat|Technicolor Dream]]" Coates by [[ESPN]] commentator [[Chris Berman]].

{{NFL predraft
|    height ft = 6
|    height in = 4 1/2
|       weight = 243
|         dash = 4.95
|    ten split = 1.76
| twenty split = 2.92
|      shuttle = 4.56
|     vertical = 28.0
|     broad ft = 9
|     broad in = 1
|        bench = 15
|     arm span = 35
|    hand span = 10
}}

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! rowspan="2"| GP
! colspan="6"| Receiving
! colspan="2"| Fumbles
|-
! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! FD !! Fum !! Lost
|-
! [[1991 NFL season|1991]] || [[1991 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 16 || 10 || 95 || 9.5 || 17 || 1 || 6 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1992 NFL season|1992]] || [[1992 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 16 || 20 || 171 || 8.6 || 22 || 3 || 55 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[1993 NFL season|1993]] || [[1993 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 16 || 53 || 659 || 12.4 || 54 || 8 || 32 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1994 NFL season|1994]] || [[1994 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 16 || 96 || 1,174 || 12.2 || 62 || 7 || 65 || 2 || 1
|-
! [[1995 NFL season|1995]] || [[1995 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 16 || 84 || 915 || 10.9 || 35 || 6 || 51 || 4 || 4
|-
! [[1996 NFL season|1996]] || [[1996 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 16 || 62 || 682 || 11.0 || 84 || 9 || 37 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[1997 NFL season|1997]] || [[1997 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 16 || 66 || 737 || 11.2 || 35 || 8 || 37 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1998 NFL season|1998]] || [[1998 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 14 || 67 || 668 || 10.0 || 33 || 6 || 45 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1999 NFL season|1999]] || [[1999 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 16 || 32 || 370 || 11.6 || 27 || 2 || 20 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2000 NFL season|2000]] || [[2000 Baltimore Ravens season|BAL]]
| 16 || 9 || 84 || 9.3 || 28 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CoatBe00.htm Career] || 158 || 499 || 5,555 || 11.1 || 84 || 50 || 308 || 8 || 7
|}

==Coaching career==
===Livingstone College (2001–2004)===
After retiring from the NFL, Coates began his coaching career at [[Livingstone College]], his alma mater, serving as an offensive assistant from 2001 to 2004. During his tenure, he worked as the [[Position coach|offensive line coach]], quarterbacks coach, and wide receivers coach before becoming [[offensive coordinator]].

In 2004, he was invited to join the [[Dallas Cowboys]] as an assistant during training camp. Hand-picked by head coach [[Bill Parcells]], Coates assisted in the evaluation and development of the tight ends group.

===Frankfurt Galaxy (2004)===
Later in 2004, Coates joined the [[Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe)|Frankfurt Galaxy]] of [[NFL Europe]] as an assistant offensive coach for tight ends. The team finished the season with a 7–3 record, placing second in the league, and went on to compete in [[World Bowl XII]].

===Cleveland Browns (2005–2007)===
From 2005 to 2007, Coates served as the tight ends coach for the [[Cleveland Browns]]. He managed the overall development of the tight end group and contributed to offensive game planning, scouting, and scripting. In 2006, under Coates’ coaching, tight end [[Kellen Winslow II]] recorded 89 receptions for 875 yards and 3 touchdowns — setting a franchise record for single-season receptions by a tight end and ranking 2nd in the NFL in tight end receptions, and 3rd in receiving yards by a tight end.

===Central State University (2009–2012)===
From 2009 to 2012, Coates served as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at [[Central State University]] in Ohio. In this role, he was responsible for implementing a comprehensive offensive system, supervising assistant coaches, and recruiting student-athletes.

===Saint Augustine’s University (2013–2014)===
Coates later worked as an assistant football coach at [[St. Augustine's University (North Carolina)|Saint Augustine’s University]] from 2013 to 2014, coaching wide receivers and supporting overall team development.

==Awards and honors==
* [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXXV|XXXV]])
* 2× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1994 All-Pro Team|1994]], [[1995 All-Pro Team|1995]])
* Second-team All-Pro ([[1998 All-Pro Team|1998]])
* 5× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1995 Pro Bowl|1994]]–[[1999 Pro Bowl|1998]])
* [[National Football League 1990s All-Decade Team|NFL 1990s All-Decade Team]]
* [[New England Patriots|New England Patriots All-1990s Team]]
* [[New England Patriots|New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team]]
* [[New England Patriots#Patriots Hall of Fame|New England Patriots Hall of Fame]]
* [https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2022/04/the-mission-honoring-ben-coates-of-the-bcfhof-class-of-2022/ Black College Football Hall of Fame]
* [https://www.sportsmuseum.org/events/the-tradition/#:~:text=Since%202002%2C%20The%20Sports%20Museum,%2C%20John%20Hannah%2C%20Nancy%20Kerrigan%2C The Sports Museum at The Tradition]

==Personal life==
Coates is the father of nine children: Lauren, Brianna, Bre'Yana, Gabriella, Brittany, Ben III, Anthony, Christopher, and Natasha. He has described his greatest accomplishment in life as "being able to see all my kids being able to see and make sure they all go to school so they can be successful in life." He has spoken publicly about the deep pride he feels watching his children grow and succeed, emphasizing education and [[moral character|character]] as his top priorities as a parent.

Two of his sons have followed in his athletic footsteps by playing college football at [[Livingstone College]], Coates’s [[alma mater]]. His son Ben Coates III plays [[tight end]], while his son Christopher Coates plays [[linebacker]]. Despite their athletic potential, Coates has stressed that education comes first, stating that the most important goal is for them to obtain their [[Academic degree|college degrees]], regardless of any future in professional sports.

Coates maintains a strong connection to his hometown of [[Greenwood, South Carolina]], and has continued to be involved in [[Mentorship|mentoring]] young athletes and supporting youth development both on and off the field.<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.patriotshalloffame.com/hall_of_famer/ben-coates/ New England Patriots bio]
* {{Footballstats |nfl=ben-coates |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |si= |pfr=C/CoatBe00 |rotoworld= }}

{{Patriots1991DraftPicks}}
{{Patriots1990s}}
{{Patriots50th}}
{{PatriotsHOF}}
{{Super Bowl XXXV}}
{{NFL1990s}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Coates, Ben}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football tight ends]]
[[Category:Cleveland Browns coaches]]
[[Category:Baltimore Ravens players]]
[[Category:Frankfurt Galaxy coaches]]
[[Category:Livingstone Blue Bears football coaches]]
[[Category:Livingstone Blue Bears football players]]
[[Category:New England Patriots players]]
[[Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Greenwood, South Carolina]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football from South Carolina]]
[[Category:Players of American football from South Carolina]]
[[Category:African-American coaches of American football]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]