Ben Miller Head Coach Analyst | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Ben Miller Head Coach Analyst | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Seth Coleman's journey in football began with his mother's encouragement to engage in sports. Starting from soccer and track, Coleman eventually found his path in football, navigating through various challenges from Little League to the Big Ten.
"Everything happens for a reason. That's what I believe in," Coleman expressed. "I'm here right now, and I'm enjoying it."
Initially more inclined towards basketball during his early years at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, Florida, Coleman eventually focused on football. His senior season marked a turning point as he received scholarship offers from several power-conference programs after deciding to concentrate solely on football.
"It was very different," Coleman said about the sudden attention from colleges. "It was kind of overwhelming. My mom was going through it too... She was ready for me to make a decision at that point."
Coleman committed to Illinois, valuing both the educational opportunities and the loyalty shown by the program as his first Power-Five offer. "My mom really enjoyed the educational part about it... I really enjoyed the staff that was here," he stated.
Playing against highly talented athletes in Florida prepared him well for college-level competition. "There are so many athletes from different places... We're known for that," Coleman remarked.
After redshirting his freshman year at Illinois, Coleman adapted to changes brought by new head coach Bret Bielema and switched positions from defensive end to outside linebacker. His adaptability paid off as he made significant contributions to the team, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention status twice.
Despite opportunities to enter professional leagues, Coleman chose to return for one final year at Illinois with an emphasis on education. "The NFL is not for long... you need something to fall back on," he explained.
In his last season with Illinois, Coleman changed his jersey number back to 9—a number meaningful from his high school days—after discussions with Coach Bielema.
As a team captain and leader, Coleman's focus remains on leaving a positive legacy at Illinois. "Being voted by your peers speaks a lot about what I do... I want to represent them well," he noted.
"Just keep chopping wood; that's what I say to myself," Coleman concluded about maintaining perseverance throughout his career.
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