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Biography:

Dr. Coons is a member of SHSU classes of '80, '98 and '04, and honored to serve at Sam Houston State University as a clinical assistant professor of criminal justice.

Prior to his retirement on 31 December 2018, Dr. Coons amassed an extensive background as a practitioner having served with the Harris County (Houston, Texas) Sheriff's Office for just over thirty-six (36) years. Then-Captain Coons was last assigned as the District One patrol commander, the HCSO most troubled, crime-ridden district and his previous command assignments include Task Force, SWAT/Bomb Squad and Criminal Warrants. Dr. Coons was an FBI certified bomb technician, a graduate of the FBI National Academy (247th Session) and the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas' Command College (Class 19).

Dr. Coons began his teaching career at SHSU as a doctoral teaching fellow and, after graduation, established a relationship with the University of Houston/Downtown. There, he taught primarily undergraduate statistics and, at times, research methods, criminology and other courses as UHD's need required. Dr. Coons characterizes his time at UHD as a very rewarding experience as he watched young students complete their undergraduate curricula then join law enforcement agencies as well as current practitioners juggle their education, work and family responsibilities all trying to be, often, the first person in their family to graduate from college.

Dr. Coons has been recognized as an expert witness in law enforcement and jail issues in the Texas and federal court systems, is a former Marine, grew up in East Los Angeles, California and enjoys hiking and camping in Texas and the western United States.