Chase
Coffman
Alyssa Famuliner, posted Dec. 7, 2006
Mizzou football is winding down with only the Brut Sun Bowl
left on Dec. 29. Chase Coffman, a sophomore tight end on the
team, has had a record setting season and has grown famous
not only campus wide, but also conference and nation wide.
Many would assume a star football player, like Coffman, with
such a promising future would let talent and success go to
his head. However, Coffman has proven himself a level-headed,
nice guy that enjoys the small pleasures of life.
When playing three years of high school varsity football,
Coffman proved himself to be a strong receiver. When colleges
started recruiting him, Coffman said they did not see great
speed, but they saw opportunity to put weight on an 18-year-old
six foot six senior from Peculiar, Mo. Coffman was sought
after as a tight end by many colleges including Kansas State,
Iowa, Nebraska, Florida, Michigan, UCLA, Kansas and Missouri.
Coffman had a big choice to make, especially since he was
the son of Paul Coffman who was a prominent tight end for
Kansas State. When asked why he picked Missouri, Coffman said
some of the best players in the Kansas City area came to Mizzou,
many he already knew and the location was great because it
was close, but not too close to home.
Coffman lives in Columbia with three teammates, all from the
Kansas City area. They met each other after being opponents
in high school and now reside together as teammates. Brock
Christopher, linebacker for Mizzou and one of Coffman’s
roommates, said when they are in their apartment, nobody would
be able to tell they have to go to practice everyday and play
games on Saturdays, many of which are broadcasted on national
television. They are just average college students trying
to enjoy their time here at school.
After being given more and more opportunities in practice
Coffman’s freshman year, striving to do his best, and
wanting to contribute to the team’s success, Coffman
was able to begin his collegiate career his freshman year
in 2005.
In 2005, Coffman received First Team Freshman All-American
from College Football News, First Team Freshman All-American
from Rivals and Team Freshman of the year. This year, Coffman
was ranked number 15 pre-season tight end nationally. On Oct.
25, 2006 Coffman received the John Mackey Tight End of the
Week award. At the Mizzou football team’s annual Awards
Banquet, Coffman received two awards for Mizzou Honors for
2006 which were Breakthrough Construction Hammer Award (most
big hits) and Co-Receiver of the Year, along with teammate
Will Franklin. This year as an undeclared business major,
Coffman made the Big 12 All-Academic Second Team.
It has always been Coffman’s dream to someday pursue
a professional career in the NFL. Following in large footsteps,
his father played for the Green Bay Packers for seven years
and ended his career with the Kansas City Chiefs after two
years. When asked if he would leave the university before
his four years of playing time was up, Coffman said if a great
opportunity presents itself, he probably would.
Even with all of his success, Coffman refuses to let it go
to his head. He is aware that it could all be taken away as
quickly as it came about. Coffman said, “I try to not
think about it all the time and act like very other person
who hasn’t been presented with the opportunities that
I have. I’ve been really blessed.”
Stacy Lungman, who has known Coffman for years and attended
high school with him, said, “As down to earth as Chase
was in high school, with being the star receiver for Ray-Pec
Panthers, he still keeps his cool even though he’s known
all over Columbia, and the Big 12.”
