Oates joined the Calvin College Women’s Lacrosse team in the fall of 2012 and has played an integral role in developing a premier NCAA DIII Women’s Lacrosse Program in Michigan. For the past three years he has served as the Defensive Coordinator and Goalie Coach for the Knights.

He joined the coaching staff of the East Grand Rapids Varsity and JV Girls Lacrosse teams in 2010. During that time, the varsity team has won four Conference titles, three Regional titles (2012, 2013, and 2014) and three State Championships (2012, 2013, and 2014). Many of Jeff’s players have received All-State and All-American honors, and several have gone on to play collegiate lacrosse at Marquette, Denison, Aquinas, Grand Valley State University, and Calvin College.

​Oates began his coaching career in the Waverly School district coaching middle school boys. In 2000 Jeff coached a Michigan Select Boys U-15 team that placed second in the Vail Shootout in Denver, Colorado. After moving to East Grand Rapids, Jeff became an assistant coach for the EGR boy’s freshman team. Shortly thereafter, he became the head coach of the boy’s JV team and then an assistant on the boy’s varsity team. During his time coaching boys lacrosse at EGR, his teams have won a number of Conference titles, Regional titles, and State Championships. Many of his players have received All-State and All-American honors, and several have gone on to play collegiate lacrosse at Syracuse, West Point, Penn State, University of Michigan, Roanoke, Kenyon, Wooster, Wittenberg, and Michigan State.
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​Oates retired from the Delta Township Fire Department in Lansing, Michigan after serving 29 years. He served as a Captain and a Paramedic, a Training Coordinator, and as a NFPA and State of Michigan certified Fire Inspector. He and his wife, Tracy, have been married 30 years, and they have a Daughter, Chelsea, and a son, Tyler.