Andre Coleman
Andre Coleman is one of the elite football players bred in Mercer County that went on to an NFL career.
He began that professional journey at Hickory High School from 1987-1990 as a standout on the gridiron and track. At Hickory he led the Hornets to the county's first-ever PIAA state championship, rushing for 246 yards and 4 touchdowns in the state title game. He was named Class 2A Player of the Year and first team All-State. In two years for the Hornets, he rushed for 3,710 yards and 68 TDs. In track, he set the Hickory 100-meter dash record.
Earning a scholarship to Kansas State, Andre was a four-year letterman as a dynamic receiver and kick returner. He was a 1993 All-American and All-Big Eight selection. He ranks in the Top 10 in school history in 12 offensive or return categories.
A 1994 3rd round selection by San Diego in the NFL draft, he was voted to two Pro Bowls as an alternate. A 1994 NFL All-Rookie Team selection, he set 8 Super Bowl records including a then-record, 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXIX. He was a 1996 NFL Mackey Award winner. He played for the Chargers, Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers before moving on to a college-coaching career.
Andre coached at Youngstown State University from 2010-12, then his alma mater Kansas State from 2013-18. He has coached at the University of Texas since 2019. He is founder of D.R.E.A.M. Village Foundation.