Coley studied wildlife biology at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in South Georgia. After graduating, he took a position with Georgia Department of Natural Resources as a Wildlife Technician/Game Warden. His career spanned from 1978 to 2009 when he retired and as a Wildlife Technician Supervisor. During his career Coley also served on the GA Mountain Search and Rescue Team and he served as a hunter ed instructor. In his spare time Coley enjoys kayaking, camping, fishing, and hunting; especially with his grandson. He also enjoys playing blue grass music, shooting black powder rifles, and re-loading.