Coleman attended Patterson Cooperative High School in Dayton, Ohio, where he was an all-area linebacker.
Coleman finished his career at Georgia Tech with the all-time leader with 28 sacks record, despite playing just three years.
He earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors for his junior year, playing 11 games to record 67 tackles, 10 sacks, and one fumble recovery.
Selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round (12th pick) of the 1992 NFL draft,[2] Coleman was named the NFL Rookie of the Year by Sports Illustrated and Defensive Rookie of the Year by Football News after finishing his first season with 84 tackles (61 solo), six sacks.
Coleman performed a cameo role opposite actor Jim Carrey in the 1994 movie Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
Coleman signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on September 6, 2003, replacing defensive end Derrick Burgess, who was placed on injured reserve.
[3] In January 2019, Coleman was announced as the Defensive Line Coach for Georgia Tech in Geoff Collins' new staff.