Popular Searches

Meet Rick Coles

  • M.A. in physical education, University of Northern Iowa
  • B.A. in history and physical education, Coe College

Hi, I’m Rick Coles, Professor of Exercise Science and Assistant Coach of Football. I have taught and coached at Ripon College since 1999 after teaching and coaching at two high schools and three other colleges prior to 1999. I have stayed at Ripon this long because of the quality of the community, my colleagues on the faculty and staff, and the excellent young people I have to privilege to teach and coach.

In my time at Ripon I have served as Chair of the Exercise Science Department (seven years), and have taught several different classes including physiology of exercise, motor learning, kinesiology (an anatomy and biomechanics course), functional anatomy, as well as coaching courses.

I have coached the offensive line each year I’ve been at Ripon, and was the offensive coordinator from 2004 through 2019. In addition, I have been an assistant track coach (throws) for five years from 2000 through 2004, and was head swimming coach for five years from 2004 through 2009.


Icon for: What’s your workspace like? 
I have a nice office in the Willmore Center that is very accessible for students.

What’s your workspace like? 

I have a nice office in the Willmore Center that is very accessible for students.

Icon for: What’s the best advice about teaching you’ve ever received? 
Understand that each student is different, and that different students learn differently.

What’s the best advice about teaching you’ve ever received? 

Understand that each student is different, and that different students learn differently.

Icon for: What tech tool could you not live without? 
My cell phone. With recruiting for football, I live on it.

What tech tool could you not live without?

My cell phone. With recruiting for football, I live on it.



Recent News Updates

Rick Coles to speak at football coaches’ conference in Minneapolis Feb. 7

Rick Coles, professor of exercise science, will speak on three different topics Friday, Feb. 7, at the Glazier Clinic for football coaches in Minneapolis. It […]

Eric Fels' '19 giving a presentation

Eric Fels ’19 pursuing career in sports community outreach

A career goal of working in community outreach for a professional sports organization inspired the senior seminar research of Eric Fels ’19 of Hubertus, Wisconsin. […]

High school coach got his grounding at Ripon College

The atmosphere of Ripon College made the difference for Josh Heisler ’01 on choosing to attend as a student. “The main factor that set Ripon […]