A Life of Service, Leadership & Lifelong Learning

Keith Coleman’s life reflects a commitment to service, leadership, education, and helping others reach their potential. Raised in Chesterfield, Virginia, by a military father and schoolteacher mother, he learned early the importance of discipline, education, and serving others.

After graduating from Cardinal Gibbons High School, Coleman joined the United States Marine Corps. Over more than two decades of service, he rose from enlisted Marine to Major, serving in significant assignments including General Colin Powell’s legal team and deployments to Somalia and Bosnia. His military career earned him honors including the Meritorious Service Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Following his military career, Coleman continued his service through education and coaching. He has worked as a K–12 teacher, college professor, administrator, coach, mentor, motivational speaker, and business owner. Known nationally as “The Free Throw Doctor,” he has used basketball as a vehicle to teach discipline, confidence, leadership, and perseverance.

Coleman is also an accomplished author and lifelong learner, with books including WAVA System Leadership, Free-Throw Phobia, Winning Is Temporary, Learning Is Forever, Why You Can’t Make Free-Throws, and Motivate to Levitate. His philosophy is simple:

“Winning Is Temporary; Learning Is Forever.”
 

Through his TEDx talk, “The Color of Bipartisanship,” and his continued work with young people, Coleman has promoted unity, leadership, education, and service.

Today, the Keith Coleman Museum for Leadership & Service represents the continuation of his life's work—a place where future generations can learn from his experiences and discover their own potential to lead, serve, and make a difference.