 Coles was the men's basketball head coach at Central Michigan University from 1986 to 1991.He compiled a 92–84 mark in his six seasons with the Chippewas, including 22–8 in 1986–87.Coles was named Mid-American Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year that season after leading CMU to the MAC regular-season and tournament championships and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.