Willie Bates enters his fifth season as the defensive line coach at Cheyney University in 2017.
Under Bates tutelage, three Wolves defensive lineman have earned all-conference honors.
Joe Bryant earned All-PSAC-East honors for three consecutive seasons culminating with first-team accolades in 2016. Bryant was also recognized by the ECAC, Don Hansen Football Gazette and Football Stories all-area team.
In 2015 Julian Feggins joined Bryant with being named a member of all-conference second-team, and in 2013 Ariene Gardner was an all-conference selection at defensive end.
Bates has over 20 years of experience at the high school and college level.
He came to Cheyney after working at the Valley Forge Military Academy in 2011.
From 204-2009 he was the head coach at his Alma Mater Chester High School, he was an assistant coach at Penncrest High for two season and was an assistant coach at Chester from 1998-2001.
Bates began his coaching career at Williamson Trade College working with the linebackers from 1994-97.
Bates played collegiately from 1985-88 at Division I Indiana University, where he was a two time All-Big Ten selection at linebacker in 1987 and 1988.
Coach Bates still stands as the second leading tackler in the Hoosier history books with 385 career-stops.
A Chester, Pa native who graduated from Chester High School in 1981, Bates has a 25 year-old daughter named Natalie, and resides in Wilmington, Delaware.
