Kearney, Neb. - Starting in May 2014, a new feature called "Loper Reconnection" will profile former UNK student-athletes. Student Andrew Hanson asks the chosen Loper a series of questions.

The fourth subject is former football player Justin Coleman. Wrestler Brian Hagan, softball player Darcie Berry and volleyball player Jenni Luke were previously profiled.

From the 1997-00 seasons, Coleman was among the best players in Division II. A two-time finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, the D2 Heisman, Coleman was runner up for the award as a senior, the same year he earned All-American honors. Leaving with the most passing yards in D2 history (11,213) and a slew of school records, the "Kearney Kannon" was inducted into the UNK Hall of Fame in 2013 and will be enshrined into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame this September in Lincoln.

Name: Justin Coleman
Hometown/High School: McCook, Neb./McCook
Years: 1997-00
Sport: Football
Current Residence: Omaha


For years Loper signal callers have suited up, strapped on their crisp, royal blue helmets and trotted out onto the gridiron. And none have thrown for more touchdowns, yards or completions than former University of Nebraska at Kearney quarterback Justin Coleman.

The son of a P.E. teacher and football coach, Coleman gravitated to the game early on where he got a knack for throwing the football around.

That knack was what helped land him at UNK. "I chose UNK just from being around the area and enjoying the community," Coleman reflected. "But as far as football went, the offense that they were running fit what I wanted to do.

"One of the main attractions to coming to UNK was I knew they were a one-back team that liked to throw the ball around. They gave the quarterback a lot of control, as far as calling an audible at the line and things of that sort. For a quarterback, it was a fun offense to play in because you have a lot of control and you get to toss the ball around a lot. I wasn't really much of a runner, so being able to throw a lot was to my liking."

Another aspect that made the Lopers enticing to Coleman was an impending opening at quarterback. The McCook native came in and spent his first year as a redshirt, while picking up the offense and learning as much as possible.

"I knew coming in that I was going to redshirt because the two quarterbacks in front of me were both seniors," Coleman said. "My mindset was to come in and learn as much as possible in the summer, continue that into spring ball and then try and win the job in the fall the following season."

Coleman did just that, but it didn't come without a challenge. There were two quarterbacks already on the roster, and UNK had another one entering the program in Mike Muma, who started the season after Coleman graduated.

No quarterback can do it on his own, though. Coleman credits his offensive line and corps of wide receivers for the team's and his own success.

Over Coleman's four-year career running the Loper offense, in which he didn't miss a start, he put up record numbers. A total of 11 NCAA passing records were set as UNK's signal caller, with the help of two receivers who were there with Coleman the whole way – Ryan Bedlan and Trevor Weston.

Of his NCAA Division II record-setting 11,213 career passing yards, Bedlan and Weston accounted for more than 5,000 of them. They were also on the receiving end of 50 of Coleman's 99 touchdown passes. There was also Mike Smith, who after spending his senior season in 1997 catching Coleman's passes, set many season and career receiving records for the Lopers, some of which would be broken by Weston.

"Obviously there was a lot talent wide receiver," Coleman said. "I couldn't have accomplished what I did without the receivers and linemen."

His playing career at UNK culminated with finishing as runner-up in the voting for the 2000 Harlon Hill Trophy, an award given to the most valuable player in NCAA Division II.

As with many of the statistical records he set, Coleman was quick to give credit to his teammates. "In football I have a hard time with individual accolades just because it is a team game," he explained. "The way I look at it was a big honor for my teammates and myself. Me finishing second was more of a team award.

"It was a great feeling, though, as far as the career accomplishment," Coleman added.

After going to the Harlon Hill Award Ceremony in Alabama that winter, Coleman got invited to the NFL Combine, which he called "the most nerve-racking job interview I've ever gone through – it was pretty intense."

In addition to having to compete against quarterbacks like Michael Vick and Drew Brees, scouts and teams put more pressure on the players, including Coleman. "They do stuff on purpose; you're sleep deprived – they're only giving your four or five hours of sleep. There are interviews with teams, every team doctor wants a physical," Coleman reflected. "It was an experience I'll never forget."

Despite going undrafted and not getting a call to an NFL training camp, Coleman continued his playing career in arena football, making stops in Chicago and Indianapolis before playing for fun in Lincoln while his wife was in graduate school.

While he was best known for his performances on the football field, Coleman also spent time on two other Loper squads.

During his first year on the UNK campus, while he was redshirting in football, Coleman was a part of Tom Kropp's basketball team until Christmas break when he decided he had to give up hoops to focus on football.

He wrapped up his athletic career with the Lopers by spending time on the golf team, playing for Dick Beechner. "I've always enjoyed golf and I didn't have spring ball anymore, so I went out for golf my last year as a senior," Coleman said.

While his collegiate golfing career may not have seen the same success as his football career, it did provide some memorable moments, despite only playing in one tournament. Coleman laughed, "I was warming up on the range to go play my first round of college golf, and I broke my driver on the range, so I didn't have a driver for the first two rounds.

"It didn't go as I expected it too, but it was something I enjoyed."

With fall around the corner, Coleman continues to be involved with the game. In addition to working in sales and marketing at Abante in Omaha, he spends his free time as an assistant football coach at Omaha Bryan High School. His head coach is none other than another a former UNK teammate and quarterback, Jeff Kezeor.

"When the season rolls around it's almost like you're getting Christmas gifts because of all the work you put in – in the spring, summer and fall camp," Coleman said. "In football this time of year when the games start, it's a fun time for everybody."

And no, Coleman has not broken any drivers golfing since playing in the spring of 2001.