Connect with us
 At one point three of the best receivers in NC State history played on the same team together in Torry Holt, Chris Coleman, and Koren Robinson.  All three of them rank in the Top-10 in numerous receiving records in the NC State record books.  Chris Coleman (1995-99) played three seasons lining up on the other side of the field from Torry Holt, who is arguably the greatest wide receiver in NC State history.  Because of who was on the other side of the field, Coleman’s greatness could go unnoticed at times, but his greatness is not unknown to the NC State record books.  Coleman ranks 10th in career receptions (122), 9th in receiving yards (1,909), and his 876 receiving yards in 1998 rank 8th for a single season.

Coleman has been a professional football player, a real estate broker, and a college football coach since his NC State days.  We caught up with Chris recently, and I think it would just be easier to let him tell us his own personal journey.

“I went undrafted in the 2000 draft, but was fortunate enough to make it on the team with the Tennessee Titans. I played on special teams and as a reserve wide receiver. Between those two seasons I played NFL Europe,” Coleman said. “After that second season I bounced around from Arena Football and the CFL. I would’ve liked a longer career. I thought I was good enough to play longer. One thing led to another, and you don’t always control all the variables. I’m definitely grateful to have had the opportunities I have had.”
After his professional football career came to an end in 2003, Coleman worked as a real estate broker for six years.  During that time he earned his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.  But Chris Coleman wasn’t done with football yet.
He has spent the past 6 seasons coaching college football.  Coleman’s first three years coaching were with Lenoir-Rhyne University coaching the wider receivers, punt returners and kick returners, helping the Bears win two consecutive South Atlantic Conference championships his last two seasons there.  The past three seasons, Coleman has served as the wide receivers coach at Southern University, helping guide them to back-to-back division titles and two SWAC championship appearances.
Coleman said that being a NC State football player helped prepare him for all of his professional endeavors since leaving the Wolfpack.
“I think being a college football player prepares you for what you’re about to face in life. The things you to do manage your studies, your classes, your practice, your weight lifting,” Coleman said. “Juggling all the things that a college football player does prepares you for what your going to be doing in life. In whatever profession you are in, you have things that you are expected to accomplish each day.”
Over the past two weeks Coleman has been a part of an internship with the St. Louis Rams, where he has been reunited with his former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher.
“I’m around some great coaches. Jeff Fisher is the coach there, and he was my coach when I was with the Titans,” said Coleman. “I’ve been observing how they do things, learning their system, studying their playbook, and I am working with the wide receivers, giving them pointers here and there.”

When he looks back at his time at NC State, the most valuable thing about his time there was the people that he was surrounded by.

“I was surrounded by amazing players and amazing people.  Playing with the likes of Torry Holt & Koren Robinson, and going against a great secondary with the likes of Lloyd Harrison, Jason Perry, Tony Scott, and Adrian Wilson,” said Coleman. “I am honored to have had the opportunity to grow up and develop with those guys. It’s great to be a part of a great fold of receivers over the history of NC State. Dating back to Nas Worthen and Haywood Jefferies, and Eddie Goines right before I arrived. Torry Holt started his era when I came in, and Koren Robinson and Jerricho Cotchery were younger than me. Just a lot of great receivers over time. I am very proud.”

Coleman’s Saturday’s have obviously been tied up over the past six years coaching college football, so he hasn’t been able to catch many Wolfpack games, but he said that he still checks the box score and watches the highlights of every game.

“My blood still runs Wolfpack RED.” Coleman said.

Related Topics:

Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

NC State Baseball

All But 1 of NC State’s 2024 MLB Draft Picks & UDFA’s Have Signed

Published

19 hours ago

on

July 26, 2024

By

All but 1 of NC State’s 2024 MLB Draft Picks and Undrafted Free Agents have signed with their respective teams.

Center Fielder Eli Serrano III was drafted in the 4th round with the 111th overall pick by the New York Mets. He signed for $697,500, which was $41,400 more than the slot value for the pick. Serrano III had 2 more years of college eligibility, but opted to turn pro.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by eli serrano (@eliserrano__)

Shortstop Brandon Butterworth has signed with the Padres, who drafted him the 12th round with the 360th overall pick. Butterworth had one more year of college eligibility, but opted to turn pro.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @braandonb

Pitcher Sam Highfill has signed as an Undrafted Free Agent with the Phillies.

Pitcher Logan Whitaker was drafted by the Twins in the 19th round with the 578th overall pick. He signed for $10,000.

An event that majority of people told me was nearly impossible. Here’s to the end of an era and a start to a new adventure. Time to get to work. pic.twitter.com/HdOsDmU6vB

— Logan Whitaker (@_whitaker_10) July 25, 2024

3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz signed as an Undrafted Free Agent with the White Sox.

1st Baseman Garrett Pennington signed an Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Tigers.

Shortstop Devin Fitz-Gerald, who was going to be an incoming Freshman in 2025, was drafted by the Rangers in the 5th Round. He signed his deal, with a signing bonus worth $900,000.

Catcher Jacob Cozart was drafted by the Guardians in the 2nd Round with the 48th overall pick. He has yet to sign his deal. The slot value for his deal is $1.94 million. Cozart has 1 year of college eligibility remaining, but there’s no expectation that he will be returning next season for the Wolfpack.

Continue Reading

Pack in the Pros

NFL.com Ranks NC State Legend Bradley Chubb as 1 of the Top-100 Players in 2024

Published

2 days ago

on

July 25, 2024

By

Every year, NFL.com ranks the Top-100 players heading into the season, and the voting is done by the players. Former NC State All-American Bradley Chubb didn’t crack the Top-100 heading into last season, but heading into 2024, he ranks 62nd.

Bradley Chubb
Bradley Chubb
Miami Dolphins · OLB

Whether you were a quarterback or running back who went against the Dolphins, Chubb’s presence in the trenches was potent. He led the league with six forced fumbles while also recording 73 tackles, 22 QB hits, 11 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He reached the double-digit sack mark for the first time since his rookie season in 2018. Chubb suffered a torn ACL late in the 2023 season and there hasn’t been a timeline on when he’ll return for the 2024 campaign, but he certainly left his mark last year.

(NFL)

In 2017, Chubb was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, becoming only the 2nd NC State player to earn the honor. He also was named a Consensus 1st Team All-American. Chubb took home the Bronko Nagurski and Ted Hendrick’s awards. He is NC State’s career leader in Sacks and Tackles for Loss.

Continue Reading

Pack in the Pros

Former NC State All-American’s Thuney & McNeill Make CBS Sports’ Top-100 NFL Players of ’24

Published

2 days ago

on

July 25, 2024

By

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports shared his Top-100 NFL Players heading into the 2024 season, and two former NC State All-Americans made the list: Offensive Guard Joe Thuney (Chiefs) & Defensive Tackle Alim McNeill (Lions).

86
player headshot
Joe ThuneyKANSAS CITY CHIEFS OG
As part of the best interior-line group in the league, he excels in pass protection. He did miss time last season and in the playoffs, which is concerning since he turns 32 in November. (Last season: No. 80)
89
player headshot
Alim McNeillDETROIT LIONS DT
He had his breakout season in 2023, flashing ability as a run stopper but also as a player who could push the pocket inside. He had five sacks, but I expect that number to be higher this season. (Last season: NR)

(CBS)

Thuney is coming off a season in which he earned 1st Team All-Pro honors, a Pro Bowl invite and a Super Bowl ring. In 2015, Thuney earned 1st Team All-American honors at NC State from the USAToday, and 3rd Team honors from the AP.

McNeill’s PFF Grade of 86.8 was the 2nd best on Detroit’s defense, and the 7th best at his position in the NFL. In 2020, McNeill earned 1st Team All-American honors at NC State from PFF, and 2nd Team honors from the AP.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State Legend Julius Hodge Named Head Coach at Lincoln University

Published

2 days ago

on

July 24, 2024

By

NC State Legend Julius Hodge has been named the Head Coach at Lincoln University.

This marks Hodge’s first stint as a Head Coach.

Hodge has been in the Coaching world since 2015, when he served as Director of Player Development at the University of Buffalo under Bobby Hurley. Then, he spent 2016 and 2017 as an Assistant Coach under Herb Sendek at Santa Clara. From 2018-20, Hodge served as an Assistant Coach at San Jose State. Hodge has spent the past three seasons as an Assistant Coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

At NC State, Hodge earned 1st Team All-ACC honors in 2003 & 2004, and 2nd Team honors in 2005. Hodge was named the ACC Player of the Year in ’04. He earned the All-Freshman Team in 2002.

Hodge is 1 of 11 players in NC State history to earn 1st Team All-ACC honors more than once.

His 2,040 career points scored rank 3rd in NC State history. Hodge also ranks 1st in Free Throws Made, 14th in Rebounds, 7th in Offensive Rebounds, 6th in Assists and 7th in Steals.

Congrats Julius! You deserve this!

 

Continue Reading