Former Auburn Standout Sammie Coates Named Columbia Head Football Coach

HUNTSVILLE, AL – Columbia High School officially named Sammie Coates, a former Leroy High and Auburn University standout its 11th head football coach.  

Coates steps into the role tasked with reviving a Class 6A program that has endured a 91-game losing streak, stretching back to 2015.

“My goal is to help these young men grow not only as athletes but as individuals with strong character,” Coates shared in an official statement.

During his college career, Coates was instrumental in Auburn’s run to the 2014 BCS National Championship Game. An All-SEC honoree, he concluded his time at Auburn ranked among the school’s top 10 in career receiving yards. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and he went on to have professional stints with Cleveland, Houston, Kansas City, the XFL, and the CFL.

At Leroy High, Coates was a multi-sport athlete known for his remarkable achievements on the field. He earned the 2010 2A Back of the Year award from the Alabama Sports Writers Association and recorded 57 receptions for 1,170 yards and 14 touchdowns during his senior season, leading Leroy to a state title.

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Coates takes over for former Eagles head coach Sean Watson who led the Huntsville program to back-to-back 0-10 campaigns in 2023 and 2024.  

Columbia High’s football program last claimed a victory on October 16, 2015, with a 34-16 win over Ardmore. The team finished that season 2-8. Since then, the Eagles have cycled through five head coaches and have yet to secure a playoff appearance in its 19 year history.

Under Coates’ leadership, Columbia is eager to break its years-long losing skid and lay the foundation for a successful, competitive future in Alabama high school football.