Jimmy Coale has guided the growth of VMI’s strength and conditioning program for 32 years.
Coale, who is a 1979 graduate of Springfield College in Massachusetts, also teaches in the department of physical education, in which he is a professor.
Coale received his undergraduate degree in physical education while at Springfield and was co-captain of the football team his senior year, a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, and graduated Cum Laude.
Following graduation, he joined the physical education staff at VMI and was an instructor for four years. During his first stint at the Institute he earned his Masters in Physical Education at James Madison University. During the 1982-83 school term at VMI, he also served the dual role with both the physical education and athletic department.
He then left for the University of Maryland where he worked for a year as assistant strength coach and two years as an instructor of physical education. During this period he completed all course work and dissertation research for his doctorate, and he was awarded his Ph.D in 1987.
He and his wife, Kathy, have three sons: Kevin, Danny, a fifth-round 2012 draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys, and Ryan.
