Monte Coleman, a three-time Super Bowl champion and long-time Arkansas-Pine Bluff coach, has died at 68, the school announced Sunday.
Coleman was the Golden Lions’ head coach for 10 seasons, including a run to the SWAC championship in 2012, and was inducted into the Washington Commanders’ Ring of Fame in 2015.
The Pine Bluff, Ark. native, played 16 seasons in the NFL, all with Washington, and won Super Bowls in 1982, 1987, and 1991. He tallied 1,002 total tackles, 49.5 sacks, 17 interceptions and 13 forced fumbles during his career as a linebacker.
Coleman was selected by Washington in the 11th round of the 1979 NFL Draft out of Central Arkansas. He arrived at Central Arkansas as a walk-on and became the first player to be drafted in program history. He spent his first three seasons with the Bears as a safety before switching to linebacker and still ranks second all-time in program history with 21 interceptions.
We mourn the loss of one of the greatest to ever suit up in the Burgundy & Gold, Monte ColemanOur heartfelt condolences are with his loved ones pic.twitter.com/m5F1rT0mKG
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 26, 2026
“Monte Coleman was one of the greatest players in Washington history,” Commanders managing partner Josh Harris said in a statement. “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 & Gold.”
“He may not have invented the position of nickel linebacker,” then-general manager Charley Casserly said when Coleman retired in 1995. “But he rose it to a level which has not been seen since.”
Washington Commanders: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
First-rounder Sonny Styles is the star of Washington’s draft class and will undoubtedly upgrade a defense that needed a leader and playmaker like him. But my favorite Commanders selection was Allen, a durable and powerful runner with good vision and one of the finest nicknames in sports. As he explained: “I was a fat baby and everybody in the town called me Fatman. Hopefully, I keep it going in Washington and they call me Fatman and, you know, when I score all you hear is Fatman.” Yep, the Commanders’ rushing corps will be led by “Bill” (Jacory Croskey-Merritt) and “Fatman.” Giddy up. — Nicki Jhabvala
The only quote that matters from the 2026 draft, courtesy of Commanders 6th-rd. RB Kaytron Allen:“I was a fat baby and everybody in the town called me Fatman. Hopefully I keep it going in Washington and they call me Fatman and, you know, when I score all you hear is Fatman.”
All glory to god dream about this all my life all I ever need was opportunity 🙏🏽🙏🏽 https://t.co/a7Zk9jabmw
The DeMatha grad is coming home. After spending the first two seasons at Pitt where he totaled 259 yards and two touchdowns on 19 catches, both scores as a sophomore, Bradley hit the transfer portal where he blossomed into an impact player in 2025 with 931 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 58 catches. A towering receiver at 6-foot-4 who adds intrigue as a vertical threat to potentially elevate the practice squad roster and hopes to break onto the 53 man roster.
After sticking it out at LSU, Hilton ended his career with over 600 receiving yard and five touchdowns on seven starts. Hilton struggled with injuries his first two seasons at LSU before closing out his career with a start in the bowl game, marking one of two seasons with double digit catches. The production hasn’t always matched the explosive athlete, but the intriguing part about the signing is he could stick on defense. Hilton went through the evaluation process as a defensive back where the 6-foot, 190-pound rookie could materialize into a cornerback addition this offseason.
Chris Hilton is also the WR who Brian Kelly yelled "Dont walk off on me. Who do you think you are?!?!" #Commanders https://t.co/fjNRFNjxhR
Clemson/Jacksonville State/Northwestern CB Fred Davis
A former blue chip prospect out of Trinity Christian Academy (FL), Davis spent the first three seasons of his college career at Clemson where he notched 27 games with all four starts in year three where he totaled 34 tackles and four pass deflections. He spent the 2024 season at Jacksonville State where he totaled four pass deflections and 18 total tackles before hitting the portal once again, ultimately ending his career at Northwestern. Davis notched six pass deflections and 32 total tackles, both career highs, with the Wildcats with the 6-foot-1, 200-pound prospect potentially adding depth at cornerback.
Note for those who were not drafted in today's #NFLDraft…There were 126 undrafted rookie free agents played in a game in 2025. And 28 of them started a game in 2025.
A mainstay at safety for the Spartans during his four seasons, Spencer registered at least 40 tackles in each of his last three seasons, also the span when he notched 13 pass deflections, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two sacks. A dynamic piece and one of the best on the Spartans defense, Spencer arrives after the Commanders did not draft a safety.
The Washington Commanders signed 8 UDFAs while you were sleeping/partying. https://t.co/0W83kEwxvu