Coleman Bates

It’s obvious that Coleman Bates is a goal setter, self–motivated, and very capable. The 23–year–old was selected to be the new boy’s head basketball coach at Spring Valley High School. He replaces James Libby, who resigned the post.

Bates, the youngest son of Joe Mac and Annie Bates is the youngest head coach of any high school in the Columbia area, perhaps in SC.

His quick ascension in his chosen profession surprised even Bates. He explained, “I’m big on five–year goals, and one of them was to be a Class AAAA head coach within five years of graduation. I just didn’t know it would be this quick.”

Just slightly more than a year after earning his degree from Clemson University and working one season as an assistant to Libby, Bates nailed his first objective four years earlier than he expected.

Bates was a standout athlete at Dutch Fork High School playing quarterback for the Silver Foxes football team and point guard for basketball Coach John Goodale’s squad.

After graduation in 2000 Bates entered Clemson on an academic scholarship after turning down offers to play college basketball at Erkine or Anderson. Even though he didn’t play for the Tigers, he stayed very close to his favorite sport.

“While I was at Clemson, I was the assistant junior varsity and varsity boy’s basketball coach at Walhalla High for a year. I also coached the B–squad and helped with varsity for another year. I always had a coaching mentality. This is what I’ve always wanted to do.”

Establishing the right contacts can be helpful, especially to a young man just starting out at such a high level.

“In coaching, you want to have a good base of peers who are knowledgeable about the game. I don’t have a problem calling him (Libby) to talk basketball. There are several coaches in the area who I’d like to pick their brains and do as they say. I’m a young guy learning from his elders,” said Bates.

The young coach has two brothers, Jo Jo and Jefferson. The latter was a standout quarterback at Irmo High School and later at the University of Iowa.

Tim Hunter, Spring Valley’s Athletic Director, said the new head coach made a very strong impression, especially during the transition from assistant to head coach. “We’re excited about Coleman’s energy and the way he worked with his players this summer. We think he’ll do a fine job.”