One of the many reasons Corey Coleman developed into a first-round NFL draft pick and an All-American at Baylor was because of the success he had in high-profile games against TCU.
The former Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation’s top receiver went 2-1 from 2013-15 against the Horned Frogs during his time in Waco, with his 144-yard, two-touchdown performance in Baylor’s 61-58 win in 2014 becoming a signature moment for his career. He was ultimately selected in the first round of the 2016 draft by the Cleveland Browns.
Fast forward nearly a decade later, and Coleman is now on the other side of the rivalry as an assistant wide receivers coach for TCU (4-2, 1-2 Big 12) as the Horned Frogs prepare for another pivotal matchup against Baylor (4-2, 2-1) at 11 a.m. Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
“It definitely is weird. I love that school. I love the fans,” Coleman said Wednesday. “They’ve done so much for me, but at the end of the day — Baylor fans know this — I’m the ultimate competitor. I hate losing, so I’m here with TCU, they gave me a great opportunity, and my job is to do what I can to do to help this team win.”
To understand why this game will mean so much to Coleman, you have to go back to the beginning when the Bears signed him as a recruit out of Richardson, Texas.
Why Corey Coleman became a Bear
Starring at Pearce High School, Coleman quickly rose up the recruiting rankings as one of the most dynamic players in the state in the class of 2012.
Coleman was ranked the No. 1 athlete in the state and was rated the No. 118 prospect nationally by 247Sports. Coleman held a plethora of offers from powerhouse programs like Oklahoma, but there was something about Baylor that made him gravitate toward Waco.
“It was the coaching staff. In high school I was recruited as an athlete. A lot of teams wanted me to play corner, some wanted me to play receiver,” Coleman said. “The coaching staff felt like family. They were genuine, they were direct, and that’s where I chose.
“Everyone was like, ‘You’re choosing Baylor?’ There was all this chatter because I had all these big-time offers, but I’m a loyal guy and I stuck with them.”
Baylor was in the midst of hitting its stride under head coach Art Briles when Coleman was recruited by the Bears. Briles led the Bears to a seven-win season, and then Baylor won 10 games in Coleman’s senior season in high school.
Coleman was open to playing cornerback at college and said that was the position many believed he was best at, but Briles and his son Kendal, now the offensive coordinator at TCU, had a different plan.
“I was living in a two-bedroom apartment with my mom and my sister,” Coleman said. “Coach [Art] Briles sat in my living room and told my mom, ‘Hey, if you come to Baylor, he’s going to be a first-round draft pick.’”
Briles ended up being prophetic with his prediction as Coleman became one of the best players to ever wear a Baylor jersey. Coleman finished his career with 173 receptions, 3,009 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns as he followed in the footsteps of past great Baylor receivers like Kendall Wright and Terrance Williams.
Coleman didn’t just become an elite wide receiver and NFL draft prospect at Baylor, his time in Waco also helped him develop as a man.
“I came from a household with two women,” Coleman said. “Coming to Baylor, the coaches like [strength coach] Kaz Kazadi really helped me become a man. They taught me about taking ownership, not making excuses and just doing the right thing. It helped me out having those male father figures in my life. I’m grateful for that.”
Making his mark
Coleman is using the lessons he learned to Baylor to help develop one of the best receiver groups in the Big 12 alongside wide receivers coach Malcolm Kelly.
The Horned Frogs have had four receivers produce 100-yard games this season, including true freshman Ed Small. Eric McAlister leads the Big 12 with 541 yards and seven touchdowns.
Despite injuries to McAlister and Joseph Manjack, the group has been able to live up to the standards set by Kelly and Coleman.
“The unit is flourishing. We’re doing amazing, but still have a lot of work to do,” Coleman said. “I think me and Malcolm are just instilling the confidence in the guys. All the guys in our room can make plays at a very high level. I don’t break a sweat if somebody is banged up because we know we can roll with a ‘next man up’ mentality.”
Manjack, a transfer from Houston, has 309 yards and is on pace to top his career high of 577 yards.
The experienced receiver had his first career 100-yard game earlier this season against Abilene Christian and also had 83 yards against Arizona State. Manjack said he’s picked up a lot from Coleman.
“He’s a cool dude off the field,” Manjack said. “But he teaches you hand placement, how to use your feet to get open, and he’s done a great job at that. He’s been fun to be around.”
Jordan Dwyer, a transfer from Idaho, already has produced the second-most yards of his career with 357. Dwyer had 225 yards in TCU’s first two games and quickly adapted to the FBS level thanks to the teachings of Kelly and Coleman.
“It’s been amazing. Coach Kelly and Coleman have taught me so many things since I got here,” Dwyer said. “From work ethic to technique to being physical. I’ve learned a ton of things from those guys and Coach Coleman. He won the Biletnikoff, and that dude has a bunch of game to give.”
Facing the nation’s leading passer in Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson, TCU’s receivers will serve a key role in the Horned Frogs trying to outpace the Bears.
While it may be emotional facing his alma mater initially, Coleman isn’t used to be on the losing side in this rivalry and doesn’t expect that to change just because he’s at TCU now.
A win “would be amazing,” Coleman said. “I’m a true competitor, I’m coaching for TCU now, and I want us to win every game.”