UTRGV head coach Travis Bush has been assembling his coaching staff as the Vaqueros prepare to conduct a practice year in 2024 ahead of its first full season in program history in 2025. Bush announced the addition of Marcus Coleman, who will serve as special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach.

Coleman arrives in the Rio Grande Valley after spending the last five seasons as special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at NCAA Division III Trinity. The Tigers special teams shined during Coleman’s tenure, with return specialist BJ Stewart earning All-American honors under his tutelage.

The Dallas native was a standout defensive back at Texas Tech, where he was twice named to the All-Southwest Conference (SWC) first team. Coleman earned All-American honors in 1995 and departed the Red Raiders as the program and SWC career leader in interception returns for touchdowns and most blocked kicks in a season.

“He will bring great detail and expertise to our young program. He obviously knows what it takes to get to the next level and will find ways to maximize the potential of everyone he coaches,” Bush said in a press release. “Being a former Texas High School player and All-American at Texas Tech, he already has great recruiting ties across the state and will help bring some more top talent down to the Valley. We are extremely excited to add Coach Coleman to the Vaqueros Family."

Before joining Trinity, Coleman spent four seasons coaching for multiple Indoor Football League teams, including serving as head coach and defensive coordinator of the Tucson Sugar Skulls in 2019. Coleman worked with the Jacksonville Jaguars linebackers during training camp in 2022 after he was awarded a Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship.

Coleman began his coaching career following 11 seasons in the NFL. He was selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. Coleman spent six years with the Jets before spending four seasons with the Houston Texans. He finished his playing career with the Dallas Cowboys in 2006.

"I look forward to joining Coach Bush, the coaching staff, and the UTRGV community in this new and exciting endeavor," Coleman said. "The chance to start a football program from the ground up and lay the foundation is a phenomenal opportunity. I believe in Coach Bush's vision, and I am excited at the prospect of mentoring young men and building something special here at UTRGV."