Central Coach Gil Coleman Dies Of Cancer

Gil Coleman, the basketball coach at Central Washington for five years, died Monday night of complications of cancer. He was 38.

University officials and family said Tuesday that Coleman died at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle.

He was admitted to the hospital Feb. 6 and was being treated for pneumonia related to a bone marrow transplant last spring, said his wife, Lorrie. He was originally diagnosed with lymphoma cancer in 1987.

Coleman succeeded Dean Nicholson in 1990 and compiled a 91-64 record in five seasons as the Wildcats coach. Assistant coach Greg Sparling served as interim coach during Coleman’s illness.

Coleman was an assistant under Nicholson after a successful prep coaching career at Onalaska - where his 1983 team won the state Class B title with a 28-0 record - and Juanita.

Coleman graduated from Central Washington in 1981 and also received a master’s degree in athletic administration in 1991 from the school.

He was named the NAIA District 1 Coach of the Year in 1992 and again in 1993, when his team went 29-7.

He is survived by his wife and two sons, ages 12 and 1.

Graveside services are scheduled Friday at Morton, where he graduated from high school in 1974. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday at Nicholson Pavilion on the Ellensburg campus.