Mike Coleman was a four-year letterwinner at Willamette. He scored more than 1,100 points and grabbed over 700 rebounds during his career as a basketball player. In 1971-72, he averaged 15 points and nine rebounds per game on his way to earning Second Team All-Northwest Conference honors and Second Team NAIA All-District 2. That year, Coleman helped lead the Bearcats to the NWC Championship, NAIA District 2 Championship, and the NAIA National Tournament. As a senior, Coleman was named to the All-Tournament Team at the NAIA District 2 Tip-off Tournament, chosen Honorable Mention All-NWC, and was selected NAIA All-District 2.