Priore said Coulter injured his left knee during summer workouts in early June, with a diagnosis of a torn ACL. Priore, Coulter and his family decided it would be best to rehab the injury, and subsequently, Coulter missed most of the preseason. He was cleared by the Stony Brook medical doctors and athletic training staff, and was cleared in limited play going into the opening game at UTEP. Coulter reinjured his knee after the Buffalo game. His knee was unstable, and, as a result, Coulter was unable to prepare correctly.
"In 29 football seasons of coaching, Michael Coulter is the most unselfish player I've ever been around," Priore said. "He's been the consummate team leader on and off the field. He's been our coach on the field in each of his 26 starts. My respect for Michael as a human being outweighs my respect for him as a player."
Coulter and Stony Brook will not appeal to the NCAA for another season of eligibility. Prior to Stony Brook, Coulter played the 2008 season at Santa Ana College. He spent 2007 at Syracuse, but did not see game action.
The 6-1, 210-pound Coulter has thrown for more than 4,200 yards and 32 touchdowns in 26 straight starts. He threw a career-best four touchdowns against Presbyterian last season, and engineered a last-minute drive in 2009 against Liberty, which clinched a share of the Big South title.
A biochemistry major with a Spanish minor, Coulter boasts a 3.7 GPA. He was the 2010 Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a recipient of the Outstanding College Scholar-Athlete by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Suffolk County Chapter. Coulter will graduate in December and attend medical school soon after.
Junior Kyle Essington (Chino Hills, Calif.), who started the season as Coulter's backup, will step into the starter's role against Presbyterian on Saturday, October 8. Junior Lyle Negron (Bakersfield, Calif.), who has not seen game action this season, will back up Essington.
