Coleman, Gene 1942–

(A. Eugene Coleman)

PERSONAL:

Born October 7, 1942, in Beaumont, TX; son of J.L. (in business) and Mary (a homemaker) Coleman; married Barbara Alexander, June 3, 1967; children: Jarrett, Ashlyn-Tankersley. Education: Lamar University, B.S., 1965; University of Oklahoma, M.Ed., 1967; University of Texas at Austin, Ed.D., 1969. Politics: Republican. Religion: Methodist. Hobbies and other interests: Sports, fitness.

ADDRESSES:

Office—Program in Fitness and Human Performance, University of Houston at Clear Lake City, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX 77058.

CAREER:

University of Houston at Clear Lake City, Houston, TX, professor and chair of program in fitness and human performance. Worked as baseball strength and conditioning coach for the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers baseball teams; also worked as professor and strength and conditioning coach at University of Texas at Austin, Texas Tech University, and Eastern Kentucky University. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, member of research team involved in astronaut selection and training; consultant to National Footfall League, National Hockey League, and National Basketball Association.

WRITINGS:

52-Week Baseball Training, foreword by Nolan Ryan, Human Kinetics Publishers (Champaign, IL), 2000.

Author of conditioning manuals for baseball teams and an astronaut training manual. Contributor of more than fifty articles to periodicals.

SIDELIGHTS:

Gene Coleman once told CA: "I have been a Major League Baseball strength and conditioning coach for twenty-three years, working with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. I am the only one who actually worked for two teams (Rangers and Astros) in the same season (1981). One of the first strength and conditioning specialists hired in Major League Baseball, I have worked with many of the game's stars, including Nolan Ryan, Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Ken Caminiti, Joe Morgan, Randy Johnson, and Moises Alou. I was the first to research the physical, physiological, and performance profiles of Major League Baseball players.

"After working in Major League Baseball for more than twenty years, I felt that I had information, policies, practices, and practical drills and procedures that could be of value of players, coaches, parents, and administrators of baseball/softball teams. My writing is influenced by other professionals in the field of conditioning for all sports. Coaches and athletes who have demonstrated the ability to achieve and/or motivate others to achieve elite status also influence me.

"I try to write a little each day. When the team is on the road, I get up early and write before breakfast. I also write late at night as a means of unwinding from the game.

"What inspired me? The lack of relevant information by individuals who were involved in the game on a daily basis inspired me to share my ideas, observations, and experiences. There are a lot of strength and conditioning specialists in the profession who cite textbook theory, but who have never had to prepare individuals to perform at the highest level 162 times in 180 days."