In the Majors, he played for the Cincinnati Reds and Brooklyn Superbas.

In his one season in the Federal League, 1914, he played for the Pittsburgh Rebels.

Coulson threw and batted right-handed, weighed 175 pounds, and was 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) tall.

On August 4, 1908, at the age of 21, Coulson made his Major League debut with the Reds.

Although he hit only .234 and led the league in strikeouts with 78, he stole 32 bases and collected 7 triples.