Rodney Coates
Wide Receiver
West Florida

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Rodney Coates:  6’2 ¾, weight is 203 and I run a 4.51 consistently. 

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Rodney Coates:  We didn’t have any spring practices.  I network with a few guys.  I have working out with Lance (Williams) who worked with EXOS.  I work with him on speed and agility stuff.  We just did a speed session this morning.  I will be doing lifting later on tonight.  Lance is building his brand.  He is from Pensacola, FL.  I train five days a week, and I do recovery stuff on the weekends.  I visit my son on the weekends.  I also go to a practice field, and my girlfriend shoots me balls from the jugs machine. 

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Rodney Coates:  I played basketball all four years.   

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Rodney Coates:  I played wide receiver, second string QB, cornerback, and safety.   

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Rodney Coates:  Coming out of a small high school in Alabama, I had offers from the Gulf South conference.  Alabama State, West Alabama, West Florida, and West Georgia.  My mom actually went to Alabama State. 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose West Florida? 

Rodney Coates:  They came to a couple of my basketball games in high school.  They also came to my home.  They were gathering some talent.  I felt like I could get exposure for the next level by coming to West Florida.  They were just starting the program.  I wanted to be a pioneer guy.  They sold me on a dream.    

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career?      

Rodney Coates:  We didn’t start the first season until 2016.  I had to take a year off.  It was a perfect fit.  It was not too far from home.  We had two national championship appearances.  I have had a good career.  During my first season, I played behind the senior guys.  I saw some playing time as a redshirt freshman.  My sophomore year, I made a name for myself.  I had key touchdowns and a couple of 100-yard games.  I made ESPN top 10 highlights against the University of West Georgia.  I put our team ahead before halftime.  During my junior year, I had 30+ catches for over 400+ yards and five TD’s.  I am hoping for 1,000 yards this season.  I also want to establish a leadership role.    

Alex Khvatov:  What has your cousin WR Sammie Coates told you about the NFL?

Rodney Coates:  He told me football is still football.  Don’t overthink it, but make sure you pay attention to details.  You need to hone in on the small details and that is what separates the best players.  Stay consistent and be persistent.  Get better at your craft. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Rodney Coates:  I bring energy and leadership.  I am a good deep threat.  I am able to go up and get the ball.  I make contested catches.  There is a pretty good chance that I will come with it if you throw it in my vicinity.  I am one of the stronger guys.  I can impose my will on a DB.   

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Rodney Coates:  All-around game.  My game is pretty good, but you can always get better.  I need to run better routes, not get fatigued and have more awareness.  I also need to improve my mental aspect of the game.     

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Rodney Coates:  I have a lot of them.  Making it to the national championship game in 2017.  Knocking off four No.1 teams on the road this past year to win the national championship.  This title meant something to me.  We didn’t have a lot of stuff when I came here.  Hard work paid off.  I have also caught a few go-ahead game sealing TD’s during my career. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Rodney Coates:  The biggest lesson that I gained was trust the process.  Stay even- keeled, don’t deviate from the plan and good things will happen.  Keep doing the right thing.  Be a better person and keep setting the standard.

Alex Khvatov:  How has fatherhood changed you?

Rodney Coates:  His name is Chase.  He is four years old.  It is not only about me now.  I am not an individual anymore.  Every decision that I make, it is for the future of my son.  I always try to be the person I would want him to be.  Be the best example, teach him, and have a positive influence.  I go home to visit him.  My mom would pack up, bring my son down, and I would spend time with him.  He wants to play football.  He just wants to be a QB.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Rodney Coates:  If I had to go with an NFL team, it would be the Falcons.  But growing up, I was a big Alabama Crimson Tide fan.  My uncles graduated from the University of Alabama.

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Rodney Coates:  Julio Jones or DeAndre Hopkins right now.  My all-time favorite player was Terrell Owens.  I wore #81 my first year in college.    

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Rodney Coates:  QB Austin Reed will put up major numbers.  WR Ka’Ron Ashley is a big impact player.  WR Taylen Waller is a transfer from JUCO.  Defensively, D’Anthony Bell is a big-time safety.  He is a high rangy guy.  He is about 6’2 or 6’3.  He is a fast guy who can cover and hit you.  He is the front runner for defensive MVP this year.  CB Trent Archie is another Alabama guy. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Rodney Coates:  West Georgia RB Devontae Jackson is the best player I have ever seen.  Also LB Dylan Donahue from the Jets.  He played DE in college. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a WR?

Rodney Coates:  Confidence.  You can’t second guess yourself because you won’t have a great day.  Whether it is a great catch or a drop, you have to stay positive. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Rodney Coates:  I enjoy my teammates.  Without my teammates, I wouldn’t be successful.  I love interacting with them.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

Rodney Coates:  I should be a captain this year.  Setting the example and the standard for others.  Doing the right thing on and off the field.  Helping the guys around you.  When you speak, everyone listens.  When a leader speaks, it holds weight.  You earn it by doing the right things all of the time.     

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from West Florida this upcoming season? 

Rodney Coates:  Don’t expect anything less than a national championship.  I feel like the guys that we have will work within our system.  We still have a supreme WR core.  We are loaded.  We have QB Austin Reed coming back, and our O-line is phenomenal.  We have vets coming back.  We know we will be a household name again.  We will make a run.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Rodney Coates:  I am a country dude.  I like fishing, shooting and riding ATV’s.  I like collecting jerseys.  I have about 60-75 jerseys around the house.  I have Michael Vick, Allen Iverson, Sammie Coates and Tyrann Mathieu.   

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Rodney Coates:  I am getting my healthcare degree.  I want to manage a hospital.  With my son having a desire to play the game of football, I might get into coaching and help him out.  I faced a lot of adversity growing up.  I didn’t have anybody guiding me throughout my career.  He can borrow a couple of those advices from me.    

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Rodney Coates:  Leader, strength, determination, spiritual, and prolific.