Gates began his coaching experience with the Idaho Stampede and the Rapid City Thrillers during the late 1990s.
In the United States Basketball League, Gates was the head coach for the Oklahoma Storm and the Florence Flyers during the 2000s.
After completing his post-secondary education at Boise State University, he declined a job in technology to work in basketball.
[2] While part of the Continental Basketball Association team, Gates continued his intern position when he became an account executive that year.
[3] As a member of the International Basketball Association in 1998, Gates joined the Rapid City Thrillers in assistant positions as a general manager and coach.
[5] When the Oklahoma Storm held their first ever game in 2000, Gates was one of their head coaches for the United States Basketball League team alongside Denny Price.
[9] During this time period, Gates coached the Global Sports basketball team in exhibition games while with the Storm.
The following year, he became head coach of the Idaho Stampede in 2006 and led his team to win the 2007-08 D League Championship.
[29] Outside of the United States, Gates coached the Beirut Blue Stars of the Lebanese Basketball League from 2004 to 2005.