Coates graduated from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse in 1996. Coates won four individual national championships during his college career. He was the indoor 400 champion in 1994, the outdoor 400m champion in 1994 and was the 200m champion in 1991 and again in 1994. Coates was also a part of the 1992 championship 4x400m relay team. Coates ended his collegiate career with a total of 22 conference championships and was a 17-time All American. Coates continued to compete post-collegiately and anchored the North 4x400m team at the 1995 Olympic festival and ran in the 1994 and 1995 USA championships.
