Christian Coleman is a household name in the sprinting world, a three-time world champion, two-time Diamond League champion, and the world record holder in the indoor 60 meters. His lightning-fast 100-meter personal best of 9.76 seconds even outpaces Paris Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles’ 9.79.
So why did one of America’s fastest men trade touchdowns for the track? Let’s rewind the tape.
A Football Star in the Making
Growing up in Fayetteville, Georgia, Christian Coleman was a standout athlete at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School. While many now know him for his explosive starts and relentless top-end speed, Coleman initially saw his future on the football field.
He played both wide receiver and defensive back, positions that naturally fit his acceleration, agility, and vision. In fact, football was more than just a game to him; it was his first sporting love.
“I do [miss it],” Coleman admitted in an interview with Olympics.com.
“I grew up playing football and thought that would be my route to play at college and maybe the next level. In America, football is everything. I wanted to be in the NFL.”
According to UK Athletics Coleman’s footwork and speed made him a constant threat on defense. In 2011, during his time at Milan High School in Tennessee, he posted staggering numbers: 116 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. That same year, he was named Area Defensive Player of the Year by the Jackson Sun, Most Outstanding Defensive Player in his district, and Defensive MVP of the Tennessee East-West All-Star Game.
Coach Jeff Morris, a TSSAA Hall of Famer, recalled Coleman as “a one-man wrecking crew,” praising both his raw athleticism and game intelligence.
“He has great talent and great intelligence. He’s large and explosive, with a knack for recognizing formations and stance,” Morris said.
The Turning Point
Despite his high school football success, the road to college football didn’t go as Coleman had hoped.
“I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do with my future going into my senior year,” he told Track & Field News.
“I didn’t really get the offers I wanted from football, but I did with track from a lot of high-profile programs.”
That realization led to a life-changing decision: Coleman shifted his focus fully to track and accepted a scholarship at the University of Tennessee. Looking back, he calls it “the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Track Takes Over
At Tennessee, Coleman’s sprinting career took off at warp speed. He won multiple NCAA titles, equaled the collegiate 60-meter record (6.45s), and came within a hundredth of a second of the 200-meter collegiate record. In 2017, he made history by becoming the first University of Tennessee athlete to win The Bowerman, the highest honor in collegiate track and field.
His dominance didn’t stop there. On the global stage, Coleman captured world titles and consistently clocked sub-10 times in the 100 meters, becoming one of the most consistent and formidable sprinters of his generation. Even in the current season, he has clocked solid times,10.06, 10.18, 10.13, and 10.11, showing he’s still a major force in the sport.
More Than Just a Sprinter
Interestingly, Christian Coleman didn’t just dabble in football and track growing up. He tried his hand at soccer and even gymnastics, a testament to his athletic versatility and competitive spirit. But it’s clear that his unique blend of strength, speed, and mental focus found its true home on the track.
While football may have been Coleman’s first love, it was track and field that opened the doors to global recognition and sporting immortality. The skills he honed on the gridiron, explosiveness, agility, and quick thinking, now give him an edge on the world’s fastest stages.
In choosing the track, Christian Coleman picked greatness.
