He is co-author of 2025: Scenarios of U.S. and Global Society Reshaped by Science and Technology (Oakhill, 1997), Future Work (Jossey Bass, 1990), What Futurists Believe (World Future Society, 1989), and Issues Management (Lomond, 1986) Management. He is on the editorial boards of nine publications and served on the editorial board of the Encyclopedia of the Future (Macmillan, 1996).

Coates makes presentations to about 50 groups per year in all parts of the world. He created a program on the future for National Public Radio, and he hosted it for two years. As an active member the World Future Society, he plans, organizes, and takes part in sessions at society meetings. Coates has been an adjunct professor at the George Washington University, where he taught graduate courses on the future and on technology. His career also included work as an analyst for a nonprofit think tank and positions with the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Congressional Office of Technology Assessment. He has been awarded 19 patents and an honorary doctorate from the Claremont Graduate School.

Coates was educated at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Pennsylvania.