Coleman played six senior games for Hawthorn, all in the 1959 VFL season.
It was most successful period in Hawthorn's history, winning five premierships and playing finals every year.
In 1995, the finances at Hawthorn were deteriorating, boardroom largesse was revealed, and pressure was put upon president Geoff Lord to resign.
[2][3] He presided over the difficult period when the push for a merger between Hawthorn and Melbourne football clubs in 1996.
After losing the vote to merge the clubs Coleman stepped down to be replaced by Ian Dicker.