Former UAPB coach, 3-time NFL champion Monte Coleman dies at...

A former NFL great and one of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football program's most recognizable faces has died. The school announced Sunday afternoon that Monte Coleman died at the age of 68. A cause of death wasn't announced. The Pine Bluff native was the Golden Lions' head coach from 2008-17 and guided the team to a Southwestern Athletic Conference title and a Historically Black Colleges and Universities national championship in 2012 following a 10-2 campaign. He amassed a 40-71 record at the school during that 10-year stint, including a 27-57 mark in conference play. Prior to that, Coleman served as an assistant coach for UAPB from 2003-07 -- with the final four seasons being under the late Mo Forte. When Forte was let go by the school in 2007, Coleman was promoted to head coach. "Coach Coleman represented everything we strive for at UAPB -- excellence, integrity and a relentless commitment to developing our student-athletes," UAPB Athletic Director Chris Robinson said in a news release. "His legacy is not only written in championships and honors, but in the lives he changed every single day." Coleman played collegiately from 1975-78 at the University of Central Arkansas, where he became the first player in the school's history to be taken in the NFL. He was chosen in the 11th round of the 1979 draft by the then-Washington Redskins (now Commanders) and spent his entire 16-year career with the franchise. During his time in Washington, Coleman, who moved to the linebacker position from safety during his senior year at UCA, racked up 1,002 tackles, 49.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, 14 fumble recoveries and 17 interceptions -- three of which were returned for touchdowns -- in more than 200 games while helping the team capture three Super Bowl titles. He led the NFL with 118 tackles during his second season in the league in 1980. Coleman was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and Washington's Ring of Fame in 2015. "Monte Coleman was one of the greatest players in Washington history," Commanders Owner Josh Harris said in a news release. "He was one of the pillars of our championship defenses, having played for all three Super Bowl-winning teams. His durability and leadership set the standard for what it meant to suit up for the burgundy and gold." According to UAPB, funeral arrangements and memorial service information will be announced at a later time. "A legend. A leader. A Golden Lion forever," UAPB said in a social media post. "We mourn the loss of Coach Monte Coleman, whose impact on UAPB Football and countless lives will never be forgotten. Forever in our hearts."