Lewis University Athletics

John Coakley joined the Flyers staff in April of 2026

Coakley and head coach Kevin Reynolds are no strangers as the duo were on the sideline together at both Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Point Park. 

Coakley joins the Flyers after serving as an assistant coach at Davis & Elkins College the 2025-26 campaign. While with the Senators, Coakley was in charge of all video and technology operations and assisted with all aspects of recruiting. Coakley helped mentor standouts Vegas Evans and Matthew Gray who each earned postseason recognition from the Mountain East Conference, with Evans named All-MEC Second Team and Gray receiving All-MEC Honorable Mention.

Prior to Davis & Elkins, Coakley was a member of Reynolds staff at Point Park from 2022-25. He assisted Reynolds in the transformation of the Pioneers program as they amassed an impressive 64-29 overall record, highlighted by a 30-plus win season during the 2023-24 campaign which saw Point Park end the year ranked 15th nationally. The duo of Reynolds and Coakley also accomplished the first back-to-back 20-win seasons in program history from 2022-24 as well. Coakley coached Jo Valrie, who earned NAIA All-America honors, as well as Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year accolades. Valrie was also recognized as a Bevo Francis Top 50 Player before transferring to NCAA Division I SIU-Edwardsville.

Coakley also coached at Huston-Tilotson, his alma mater, where he again oversaw all video operations and assisted with practices and scout duties. The Houston, Texas, native also had a pair of player go on to play professionally overseason. 

Coakley began his coaching career started at Texas A&M Corpus Christi where he was a graduate assistant. With the Islanders, he handled video breakdown, film sessions, player development, team academics, and oversight of team managers. The Islanders also qualified for the Southland Conference during his time on the sideline alongside Reynolds. 

Coakley played collegiate basketball at Huston-Tillotson and earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology in 2019. He completed his master's degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in 2021.