Chris Coates (journalist)

Chris Coates is an American journalist who, as of 2025, serves as Senior Director, Local News at Lee Enterprises . He has held editorial leadership roles at multiple regional newspapers and has worked in content strategy and newsroom development. Coates has been recognized by Editor & Publisher and the Illinois Press Association for his leadership and contributions to innovation in journalism.

Early life and education

Coates was born in Trenton, Michigan. He graduated from Trenton High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism from Columbia College Chicago in 2004. ^[1] While at Columbia, he served as editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Columbia Chronicle . ^[2]

Career

Coates began his journalism career in California in 2004, reporting for the Los Angeles Downtown News and later the San Fernando Valley Business Journal , where he covered healthcare, biotechnology, and government. ^[3]

He later joined the Suburban Journals of Greater St. Louis as a reporter and editor. ^[4] From 2011 to 2016, he held editorial leadership positions at the Sioux City Journal , including editor. ^[5] . During that time, the paper received General Excellence awards from the National Newspaper Association. ^[6]

In 2015, Coates became a content coach at The News Journal in Delaware, part of the USA Today Network, with a focus on investigative reporting. ^[7]

In 2017, Coates became executive editor of the Herald & Review in Decatur, Illinois. In 2019, the paper was included in Editor & Publisher’s "10 Newspapers That Do It Right," a feature recognizing newsroom innovation and performance. ^[8]

He later served as Central Illinois editor for Lee Enterprises, overseeing multiple publications including the Pantagraph in Bloomington. ^[9]

In 2022, Coates became executive editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and was promoted the following year to Virginia state editor for Lee Enterprises. In 2023, he was appointed Senior Director, Local News for the company. ^[10]

Professional involvement

Coates has led newsroom training sessions for the News Leaders Association, Illinois Press Association, New York Press Association, Online Media Campus, and the Virginia Press Association. ^{[11] [12] [13]}

He has served on the boards of the Virginia Press Association and Illinois Associated Press Media Editors, as well as on the advisory board of Capitol News Illinois. ^{[14] [15]}

Coates has also served as a judge for national journalism competitions, including the Online News Association Awards, the Editor & Publisher EPPY Awards, Report for America, and the Gannett Awards of Excellence. ^[16]

Recognition

In 2013, Coates was included in Editor & Publisher’s “25 Under 35” list. ^[17] He was named Editor of the Year by the Illinois Press Association in 2019 and recognized in Editor & Publisher’s 2024 “Editors Extraordinaire” feature. ^[18]

In 2014, he was named a Chamberlin Fellow at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University. ^[19]

References

1. "Virginia Press Association welcomes two new members to board of directors". Virginia Press Association. July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
2. Lee, Myer. "Chronicle, Columbia alum Chris Coates awarded Editor of the Year in Illinois". The Columbia Chronicle.
3. Roderick, Kevin. "Media note". L.A. Observed. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
4. "Coates named managing editor of Illinois Journals". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 11, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
5. "Future of newspapers and politics". C-SPAN network. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
6. "NNA awards General Excellence winners in 2013 newspaper contests".
7. "Beware of Dog: Meet Chris Coates, Delaware New Journal's new watchdog content coach". Editor & Publisher. September 2015.
8. Yang, Nu (March 4, 2019). "10 Newspapers That Do It Right 2019".
9. "Petty to lead Lee's Central Illinois newsrooms, Coates headed to Virginia". Illinois Press Association.
10. "Richmond Times-Dispatch editor named senior director-local news by Lee Enterprises". Virginia Press Association. December 27, 2023.
11. "Chris Coates will discuss 'Balancing Print & Digital in the Newsroom' at VPA Conference".
12. "NYPA 2024 Spring Conference".
13. "Get to know Chris Coates, who will be our presenter for next week's webinar". Facebook. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
14. "Coates named Illinois Associated Press Media Editors president".
15. "A new effort boosts a diminished Illinois statehouse press". Columbia Journalism Review.
16. "Editor & Publisher EPPY 2018 Awards".
17. "25 Under 35". Editor & Publisher. April 2013.
18. Blinder, Robin (May 7, 2024). "Meet E&P's 'Editors Extraordinaire' class of 2024". Editor and Publisher. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
19. "Speakers at IPA Conference" (PDF).