Charlie Coles

Charles Leroy (Charlie) Coles

Saginaw High School Basketball Coach (1972 - 1982)
Central Michigan Basketball Coach (1982 - 1988)

Charlie Coles was born in Springfield, Ohio and grew up in Yellow Springs, Ohio. He excelled in basketball at both Bryan High School and Miami (Ohio) University having his number retired at both places. He then began a coaching career that took him to Saginaw High School from 1972 to 1982 which included two state championship game appearances. Charlie followed this with a four-year stint as an assistant coach at the University of Detroit before being named as the head coach at Central Michigan Universiy (CMU). Coles' six years at CMU included a regular and Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament championship and an NCAA tournament bid in addition to MAC coach of the year honors. Coles found his way back to Miami (Ohio) in 1996 where he remained through the 2012 season. He became the winningest coach in Miami history as well as winning an additional MAC Coach of the year honors and two additional MAC Conference championships. Charlie Coles was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. He passed away on June 7, 2013 at 71 years of age.