Former Auburn, NFL receiver named new coach at Columbia High

Columbia High School has a new football coach. Huntsville City Schools announced this week that former Auburn University wide receiver Sammie Coates will take over the football program for the Eagles.

Here’s what to know about Coach Coates:

Sammie Coats takes over coaching duties at Columbia High School

Coates brings a wealth of experience from both his playing career and coaching tenure. An Alabama native, Coates made his mark on the national stage as a standout wide receiver at Auburn University from 2011 to 2014.

During his collegiate career, he helped lead the Tigers to the 2013 SEC Championship and an appearance in the 2014 BCS National Championship game. Coates earned All-SEC honors and concluded his Auburn career ranked in the top 10 for receiving yards.

Following his success at Auburn, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Coates in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. His professional playing career included time with the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, as well as stints in the XFL and CFL.

After retiring from professional football, Coates transitioned into coaching, where he most recently served as the Wide Receiver/Returners Coach and Community Service Coordinator at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Prior to that, Coates held coaching roles at Ohio Northern University and Jensen Beach High School, where he worked with wide receivers, defensive backs and special teams

“My goal is to not only guide these young men to be just great football players, but to be great people.”

Sammie Coates, head football coach, Columbia High School

Coates takes over an Eagles program that currently holds the longest losing streak in the country at 91 games.

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