[4][1] In 2011, he rejoined the Florida State staff as an assistant coach under Leonard Hamilton and was part of the Seminoles' 2011–12 ACC Tournament championship squad.

[6] The clip garnered national attention, but Gates defended Allen in the aftermath stating he was not the victim of a dirty play.

[7] On July 26, 2019, Gates was named 17th head coach in Cleveland State basketball history, replacing Dennis Felton.

[8][1] Gates won his first game as a college head coach on November 9, 2019, against the Division II Edinboro Fighting Scots, a 79–54 victory for the Vikings.

Gates also obtained the same number of wins as his predecessor, Dennis Felton, did at Cleveland State in 18 fewer games.

The new deal was worth an estimated $3.2 million, or $550,000 a year, which made Gates the highest-paid coach in the Horizon League.