[5] In 1970, Coakley signed for Chelmsford City, scoring on his debut in a 1–0 Southern League Cup win against Hereford United on 2 December 1970.
In the 1971–72 season, Coakley made 45 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals, as Chelmsford won the Southern League and Non-League Champions Cup double.
[7] When Alan Buckley was dismissed within 90 minutes of Third Division club Walsall being taken over by Terry Ramsden in the 1986 close season, Coakley was a surprise replacement.
[7][8] He led the club to an eighth-place finish in his first season, and promotion via the playoffs in 1988, but was dismissed in December 1988 after a ten-game losing streak.
[6] After an unsuccessful investment in betting shops, Coakley started a golf business with David Kelly, who had played for him at Walsall.