Monte Coleman, the longtime Washington Commanders linebacker who won three Super Bowl championships with the franchise and later coached at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, has...
Coleman played his entire 16-season NFL career with Washington, appearing in 215 regular-season games—a franchise record second only to Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green.
Despite not accumulating the individual accolades of some contemporaries, Coleman was celebrated for his durability, leadership, and versatility.
Monte Coleman, the longtime Washington Commanders linebacker who won three Super Bowl championships with the franchise and later coached at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, has died at the age of 68. His death was announced by the Commanders and the university on Sunday, April 26, 2026. No cause of death was disclosed.
Career with the Washington Commanders
Coleman played his entire 16-season NFL career with Washington, appearing in 215 regular-season games—a franchise record second only to Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green. Drafted in the 11th round from Central Arkansas in 1979, he became a cornerstone of the team’s defense during its dominant run in the 1980s and early 1990s under head coach Joe Gibbs. Though he played in an era alongside Hall of Fame linebackers like Mike Singletary and Harry Carson, Coleman earned recognition as a linchpin of Washington’s championship defenses, contributing to all three of the franchise’s Super Bowl victories (XVII, XXII, and XXVI).
Super Bowl Hall of Fame Central Arkansas
Despite not accumulating the individual accolades of some contemporaries, Coleman was celebrated for his durability, leadership, and versatility. He was inducted into the Commanders’ Ring of Honor and ranks second in franchise history in solo tackles. Upon his retirement in 1995, then-general manager Charley Casserly remarked, He may not have invented the position of nickel linebacker, but he rose it to a level which has not been seen since.
Tributes from the Franchise
We mourn the loss of one of the greatest to ever suit up in the Burgundy & Gold, Monte Coleman. Our heartfelt condolences are with his loved ones.
Washington Football legend Monte Coleman dies at 68
The Washington Commanders, via X (formerly Twitter)
Commanders owner Josh Harris issued a statement calling Coleman one of the greatest players in Washington history and one of the pillars of our championship defenses. Harris added, His durability and leadership set the standard for what it meant to suit up for the Burgundy & Gold.
Coaching Career at Arkansas-Pine Bluff
After retiring from the NFL, Coleman transitioned to coaching, first serving as a linebackers coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) before taking over as head coach in 2008. He led the Golden Lions for a decade, guiding the program to a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship in 2012. UAPB athletic director Chris Robinson praised Coleman’s impact on and off the field, stating, Coach Coleman represented everything we strive for at UAPB. Excellence, integrity, and a relentless commitment to developing our student-athletes. His legacy is not only written in championships and honors, but in the lives he changed every single day.
Born on November 4, 1957, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Coleman was a walk-on at Central Arkansas before his NFL career. His connection to the region remained strong, and he was remembered as a mentor to young athletes during his coaching tenure.
Legacy and Impact
Coleman’s death elicited an outpouring of tributes from former teammates, colleagues, and fans. Former Washington running back Brian Mitchell, a fellow franchise legend, posted on social media, It’s with great sadness to announce the passing of Washington Legend, Monte Coleman. If you listen to me at all, you know how much I respect and admired him.
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Coleman was remembered for his humility and dedication. His career spanned an era of transformation for the NFL, and his contributions to Washington’s championship culture left an indelible mark on the franchise. The Commanders and UAPB have not yet announced plans for public memorials or services.
