He never planned on playing in an all-star game earlier this month.
And he certainly never intended on playing in college.
However, Coan will say goodbye to Solano County and hello to Salem, Ore. next month to punt and kick at Williamette University.
"I visited the school and saw the facilities," he said. "Pacifica University recruited me too, but I liked Williamette better. Overall, the program was better. At Pacifica, they were nine deep at every position."
Coan, 17, simply did a favor for a friend senior year, as his classmate didn't want to go to football tryouts by himself. Coan eventually made the team. While his classmate was cut, Coan saw the field a lot for the Bruins, who had plenty of three-and-out, punting situations. He also
handled the kickoff duties.
"I really had no interest in playing football," he said. "The only reason I tried out was because my friend was trying out and didn't want to do it alone."
Coan averaged between 35 and 40 yards per punt and his longest punt traveled about 50 yards against Salesian. The Bruins attempted two field goals and he made one of the two.
"He was a God-send for us," said former Bruins coach Chris Cerbone. "When we did struggle offensively, he was able to put the ball out of bounds at the 15- and 10-yard line a lot. He was amazing."
During a 3-0 loss to Pinole Valley, Coan estimated that he punted eight to 10 times.
"I got lots of reps that game," he said bluntly.
He was picked to kick and punt in the 41st annual High School East-West All-Star Game on July 13. The West won its fourth straight in the series with a 7-6 win with Coan picking up the extra point on the touchdown. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience at Napa Memorial Stadium.
"It was surreal. I had never played football on a field that nice," he said. "We weren't that good at St. Pat's so it was fun playing with all of those good players. It was a great experience for me."
Coan attended Benicia High for three years before transferring to St. Pat's for senior year. He said his parents were not entirely pleased with his grades and wanted Coan to apply himself more.
He has been playing soccer for 13 years, starting as early as age 4. He was on Javier Martinez Benicia's varsity soccer team as a junior and played in 19 games.
As a senior, he was on the Bruins' boys soccer team as a center-midfielder. Williamette asked if he wanted to play soccer too, but he will concentrate on football and his grades.
"Ever since I was playing club, it was my dream to play college soccer," he said. "Realistically though, I know I'm not good enough to play soccer at that level."
Coan said Williamette's assistant coach Lukkes Gilgan came to the area to see Benicia defensive back Cameron Whyte. While Whyte eventually decided to go to Diablo Valley College, Coan committed to the Bearcats in March.
He plans to double major in computer science and business and is thinking about eventually going for his MBA.
The Bearcats went 8-2 last season while breaking numerous school records and concluding the year as one of the most prolific offensive teams in NCAA Division III. The team begins the 2013 slate Sept. 6 against Hardin-Simmons.
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