Anthony Coleman, who was part of the Sun Devil staff during its resurgence when it reached as high as No. 3 in the Associated Press rankings and part of two NCAA Tournament teams in 2017-18 and 2018-19, rejoined Bobby Hurley's staff in the summer of 2020 after spending one season at Colorado. The Sun Devils made back-to-back appearances for the first time since 1980-81 in his final two years and he helped land many Sun Devils who played big roles in those seasons.
"We are thrilled to welcome back Coach Anthony Coleman and his family," said Sun Devil sixth-year head coach Bobby Hurley. "Coach Coleman’s contributions were substantial in the building of our program. He is one of bright young coaches in college basketball and I’m really excited to be working with him again."
He helped ASU to a 23-11 overall record in 2018-19, capturing its first NCAA Tournament win since 2009. The Sun Devils placed second in the Pac-12, their best conference finish since placing second in 2009-10. He played a key role in bringing Top 25 prospect Luguentz Dort, the 2018-19 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, and All-Pac-12 forward and league-leading rebounder Zylan Cheatham to Tempe and had a hand in the development of solid front court players in Romello White and De'Quon Lake.
The return of Coleman helps with recruiting ties in Southern California. A native of Carson, Calif., Coleman starred at West Torrance and Centennial High Schools, graduating from the latter in 2000. He began his professional coaching career at USC, serving as the player development coordinator and director of basketball operations during the 2012-13 season.
Coleman spent three years as an assistant manager of sports marketing at adidas before returning to the court as a coach with the Sun Devils in the summer of 2016.
He played collegiately at Xavier and Long Beach State. He helped Xavier to NCAA Tournaments in 2001 and 2002 and won an Atlantic 10 Conference championship with the Musketeers in 2001-02. Coleman finished his career at Long Beach State, averaging 12.3 points and 5.0 rebounds as a senior in 2004-05. He earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Long Beach State in 2005.
Following college, Coleman played six years of professional basketball both in the NBA Developmental League and overseas. He spent time with the Akita Happinets in Japan and the New Yorkers Braunschweig in Germany. Coleman's stateside NBA D-League stops included Albuquerque, Bakersfield, Los Angeles and Austin.
Coleman and his wife Nellie have three children, Avery, Cade and Mila.