Coach Coleman Throughout The Years

Photography and video from the legendary coach's Hall of Fame career on the court, and purpose-driven life off of it.

A LEGENDARY TIMELINE
A HALL OF FAME CAREER
1957
1960
1962
1966
1967
1969
1971
1984
1985
1990
1992
1996
1999
2009
2019
1957
Named Head Coach at Aldine High
1960
Texas State Finalists/3rd
1962
Named Head Coach at Memorial High
1966
Texas State Championship
1967
Texas State Finalists
1969
Texas State Finalists
1971
81 Straight District Wins
1984
Texas State Finalists
1985
SBISD Coliseum named "Don Coleman Coliseum"
1990
Houston Chronicle "Coach of the Decade - 80's"
1992
Retirement from Coaching
1996
Named to Texas High School Coaches Hall of Fame
1999
TABC Coach of Year Award re-named the "Don Coleman Award"
2009
Memorial High School Gymnasium renamed "Don Coleman Gymnasium"
2019
Aspire To Greatness bronze unveiled in Coleman Coliseum
Tributes and Gratitude
From Players, Colleagues, Family and Friends
I remember my first day of basketball in the ninth grade when I met Coach Coleman. At that time, I had no idea of the impact that he would have on my life. He placed demands of excellence and discipline on me and my teammates. Understanding and buying into those demands are what mold young men, on the basketball court and in life, into winners and leaders. Not because they have developed more talent, but because they have developed more character. Love You Coach!
Eric Poerschke - Player 1978-82/Managing Partner, Next Level Thinking
While sitting on the bench with five fouls in the regional finals with time running out and our 8 point lead trimmed to two; Coach turns to me and says,“If we lose this one it’s your fault.” We beat Beaumont French by two and Coach was nearly passed out in the locker room following the game. Gotta love his intensity. I still love him like a father 50 years later.
Jerry Kroll-All American 1964-68/Owner-State Farm Agency
I’m proud to say that Coach Coleman was my dad. I grew up in the Memorial High School gymnasium and witnessed the positive effect he had on his players, both on and off the court. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that he instilled those same strict guidelines of pride and discipline at home with me and my two brothers. I had the pleasure of playing for my dad at MHS in ’77 and ’78, and while the Coach/Coach’s Son arrangement wasn’t particularly easy for either one of us, I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything in the world.
Kevin Coleman-Son, Player 1975-78/Creative Director-KC Works
Coach Coleman taught me how to win. He showed me how dedicating yourself to something you believe in can make all the difference in your life.
David Meaden-Player 1976-80/Managing Director-GPV Interests
With each passing year I recall with ever greater appreciation and joy the years I had with Coach Coleman. His influence on my life is still very evident, his insistence on excellence, precision, discipline, and hard work continue to form and shape my way of living
Randy Youngling-Player 1967-1970/Partnership Manager-Positive Coaching Alliance

Coach Coleman has been the single most influential person in my life second only to Jesus Christ. Only in eternity will he know how many lives he has touched.
Mike Richards-Friend/Former Texas State Senator/Radio Show Host/Chair of Biblical US
I’ve been blessed to have seen and experienced some amazing, awe-inspiring things in my life, but Coach leading our 1984 team to the State Finals was among the best. Coach deserves every honor.
Elvin Hayes, Jr.-Player 1983-84/Lead Pastor - The Champion Center of Las Vegas
Coach impacted countless lives. While he was one of the toughest people I have ever known, he pushed us all to excellence. He built us as men, despite our fight against the rigor he demanded. It was great to see this special man’s core values etched into a statue that will last much longer than we will.
Joel Phipps, Player 1984/Partner - Lockton Companies
Coach drove us to work hard, and it paid off both on and off the court. I wouldn’t be where I am today without that experience.
Brad Barth, Player 1979-82/Pediatric Gastroenterologist & Professor of Pediatrics - UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas
Coach Coleman was not only a strategical genius on the court, but he also inspired us to be our very best off the court as well. I still get nervous at the start of basketball season over 50 years later!
Larry Wood, Player 1965-67/Attorney (Ret)-Kemp Smith LLP
Some people in life are so influential that you can't put into words what they mean to you, or the impact they had. I was so blessed to have played basketball for Coach Don Coleman, and be a part of the brotherhood of Memorial Basketball.
Dave Harger - Player 1989/VP of IT/ Hi-Crush Partners
LEAVE A MESSAGE