After graduating from Wheaton College, Coats went on to serve in the U.S. Army. Following his military service, Coats attended Indiana University School of Law, where he received his J.D. and was associate editor of the Indiana Law Review. He went on to work for a life insurance company in Fort Wayne before joining the office of then-Congressman Dan Quayle as a district representative.

From 1981 to 1999, Coats served in the United States Congress, first in the House of Representatives and then in the Senate. During his time in Congress, Coats promoted policies to lower taxes, reduce spending and reform entitlement programs. He also served on the Senate Armed Services Committee and Select Committee on Intelligence where he worked on ways to strengthen our national defense and security.

In keeping with a term-limits pledge he made to Hoosiers, Coats stepped down from his Senate seat in 1999. After leaving the Senate, he worked in the private sector with the law firm of Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand. In 2001, Coats was named Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, arriving in country only three days before the tragic events of September 11, 2001. As Ambassador, Coats played a critical role in establishing robust relations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and in the construction of a new United States Embassy in the heart of Berlin.

After his time as Ambassador, he worked at the law firm of King & Spalding and continued to be active in public service. Coats has served as President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and on the boards of many civic and volunteer organizations, including the Center for Jewish and Christian Values, which he co-chaired with Senator Joe Lieberman.

Senator Coats and his wife Marsha formed The Foundation For American Renewal to continue their engagement in faith-based initiatives. Coats received national recognition as the author and champion of the Project for American Renewal, a comprehensive initiative created to help resolve many of our nation's social problems.

In the 112th Congress, Coats serves on four Senate committees- Appropriations, Select Intelligence, Energy and Natural Resources and the Joint Economic Committee (JEC.)

On the JEC and Senate Appropriations Committee, Coats will have the opportunity to push for spending cuts and fiscal restraint. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, he will work on initiatives to strengthen our national security and protect Americans from terrorist threats. Senator Coats also will serve on the Senate Energy Committee where he will advocate for a responsible comprehensive energy approach to help reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

Dan and Marsha Coats met in college and have three adult children and eight grandchildren.