He found the prosthesis doctors gave him hindered his playing ability, so he decided not to use any adaptive equipment.

In 1945, Coan was honored with The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year Award while playing for the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern Association.

He entered the majors in 1946 with the Washington Senators, playing eight seasons for them before joining the Baltimore Orioles (1954–55), Chicago White Sox (1955) and New York Giants (1955–56).

A line-drive hitter and speedy outfielder, he averaged 12 stolen bases from 1948–52, with a career-high 23 in 1948 (second in American League).

Coan also tied a major league record he shares with four other players by hitting two triples in the same inning on April 21, 1951.