Columbia High School Welcomes New Football Coach Sammie Coates

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Columbia High School has officially announced the hiring of a new head football coach. The decision came after the Huntsville City Board of Education gave their approval on Monday. The new head coach is Sammie Coates, a local talent and former Auburn University wide receiver who brings a wealth of experience to the position.

Dr. Thomas Jones, Principal of Columbia High, spoke about Coates, stating, “Sammie Coates is a man of character, integrity, and he is committed to making a difference in the lives of our student-athletes.” He expressed excitement about welcoming Coates to the school community.

Coates had an impressive collegiate career at Auburn from 2011 to 2014, where he emerged as a standout wide receiver. He played a pivotal role in leading the Tigers to the 2013 SEC Championship and an appearance in the 2014 BCS National Championship game. His performance caught the attention of NFL scouts, and he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. During his professional journey, he also played for the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, and Houston Texans. Additionally, he had stints in the XFL and CFL.

After retiring from playing, Coates took on coaching roles at Ohio Northern University and Jenson Beach High School. Most recently, he served as the Wide Receivers/Returners Coach and Community Service Coordinator at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Coates shared his intentions for his new role, stating, “My goal is to not only guide these young men to be just great football players, but to be great people.” He is expected to start coaching on Wednesday.

This hire comes on the heels of Sean Watson’s resignation from the head coach position after the 2024 season. The Columbia Eagles have been struggling, having not won a game since October 2015. With Coates at the helm, there is hope for positive change and improvements in the team’s performance.