Tougaloo's Coleman is GCAC''s Top Dog

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Every dog gets his day, and today belongs to Tougaloo Bulldogs Director of Athletics Dr. James Coleman.


The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference today announced the selection of Dr. Coleman as 2018 GCAC Athletics Director of the Year. Coleman, who is in his 41st year and third tour of duty as Tougaloo's Director of Athletics, received 42.9% of the vote from a panel of the GCAC's athletics directors. Xavier University of Louisiana Director of Athletics and Recreation Jason Horn, who was the 2017 GCAC Athletic Director of the Year, nearly repeated, receiving 28.6% of the total vote. Edward Waters (Fla.) College's Stanley Cromartie and Talladega (Ala.) College's Kevin Herod each received 14.3% of the vote.

Coleman, a native of Jackson, Miss., is a graduate of Tougaloo College. He earned a Master of Education from Tennessee State University and a doctoral degree from the University of Mississippi. Coleman has a long tenure in athletics, having previously served as head basketball coach and intramural director at Tougaloo College. He has also worked in professional sports with the Harlem Magicians.

Coleman is also active in the athletics community, both locally and nationally. He serves on the National Association of Intercollegiate Coaches, Mississippi Alliances for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, National Collegiate Association for Director of Athletics, and American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Coleman thanked his peers for selecting him for the honor.

"I am totally overwhelmed," said Coleman. "To be respected by my peers to have faith and trust in me to lead Tougaloo Athletics to the top and to be selected Athletics Director of the Year is absolutely amazing. I am very honored to receive such recognition."

GCAC Commissioner Steve Martin also acknowledged Coleman's long history at Tougaloo and service to the GCAC in awarding the honor.

"Dr. Coleman has long been a champion for the GCAC," said Martin. "His leadership and advocacy for the conference, as well as his passion for Tougaloo College are unparalleled, and he is highly deserving of this recognition."

As the conference's winner, Coleman will now represent the GCAC in the national voting for NAIA Athletics Director of the Year. The NAIA AD of the Year winner will be annouced on National Awards Day in September.