Michigan State officially announces hiring of former ACC star

“It’s official,” according to Michigan State football. Marco Coleman is the new defensive line coach and run game coordinator.

IT’S OFFICIAL 🚨@Coach_MColeman is now a part of our football family #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/L23MZzszEt

— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) February 9, 2022

Coleman joins Michigan State after enjoying three seasons and Georgia Tech’s defensive line and outside linebackers coach from 2019-2021. He played his collegiate football for the Yellow Jackets from 1989-1991 where he was a two-time first-team All-American.

“Coach Marco Coleman brings years of college and NFL experience to East Lansing,” Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker. “We’re extremely excited for him to join our family and he is going to help shape future champions.”

Coleman left Georgia Tech following his junior season and was selected No. 12 overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 1992 NFL Draft. He went on to win the 1992 Rookie of the Year and earned a spot in the 2000 Pro Bowl. Coleman, who played 14 seasons in the NFL from 1992-2005, joined the Yellow Jackets’ coaching staff after spending the 2018 season as an assistant defensive line coach for the then-Oakland Raiders.

Coleman spent 14 seasons in the NFL with stints playing for the Dolphins (1992-95), San Diego Chargers (1996-98), Washington Football Team (1999-2001), Jacksonville Jaguars (2002), Philadelphia Eagles (2003) and Denver Broncos (2004-05). Overall, Coleman played a total of 207 games in his 14 seasons in the NFL, including 185 starts. He recorded 614 tackles, 65.5 sacks and 18 forced fumbles in his career.

Following his retirement from the NFL after the 2005 season with the Broncos, Coleman started a career in finance, eventually becoming managing partner at Matador Financial. He returned to the NFL as a coaching fellow with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 and also served as the defensive coordinator at Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida, that same year. Shortly after, he found himself back in the Yellow Jackets’ organization.

Georgia Tech struggled to get to the passer last season, ranking second from the bottom in sacks in the ACC. However, Coleman will be stepping into a room with a bit more experience.

Despite having a coaching opening at the defensive line, the Spartans had one of the Big Ten’s top pass rushes during the 2021 season. Michigan State got to the quarterback 43 times, four more than Wisconsin, who finished in second place.

Coleman will be walking into a talented room, hoping to replicate the form with Jordan and head coach Mel Tucker.