Meet the N.A.I.A.'s - Jonathan Coachman - NAIA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Jonathan Coachman, McPherson College
Basketball
Graduated - 1995
Major - Communications

Call him "Coach." You may have seen him each week holding his own with some of the best-known wrestlers in the world. As the announcer for the WWE's Sunday Night Heat, Jonathan Coachman has been taunted by the likes of "The Rock" and Shane McMahon. And he might be the only person from McPherson, Kansas, to ever have his own action figure.

After two state basketball championships at McPherson High School, Coachman moved across town to continue playing for McPherson College. During his four years at McPherson, Coachman became the school's career scoring, rebounding and assists leader. He was also named McPherson's "Athlete of the Year" twice and was named conference Player of the Year twice.

While at McPherson, Coachman's interests included participating in theatre, serving as the sports editor for the school newspaper, and doing play-by-play and color commentary for the local football and basketball radio broadcasts. Little did he know he would be standing in the ring as thousands of screaming fans cheered and jeered him and the rest of WWE.

After graduating in 1995, Coachman took his experience to television stations in Wichita, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo., where he worked as a sports anchor. His big break came when, as a fan, he attended, a World Wrestling Federation (WWF) event in Kansas City. After a wrestler fell 90 feet to his death, Coachman's reporting instincts kicked in. His report on the accident led to appearances on Good Morning America, ESPN Radio, Larry King Live and many other shows. In December of 1999, Coachman left Kansas City for a full-time announcing position with the WWF, now the WWE.

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