Roy Bates graduated from Chester High School and Wooster College. His coaching career spanned 13 years at Chester High School with an impressive 284-61 record and continued at Northwestern High School in Wayne County for 9 years during which time he claimed a state title in 1965.

His overall record was 441 wins and 84 losses for a winning percentage of 84. During his career he won the following championships: League (9 times), Sectional (7 times), District (3 times), Regional (1 time) and State (1 time).

Following his retirement from scholastic coaching, Roy joined coach Bob Knight as an assistant coach at Indiana University for four years. Currently, Roy lives in Wooster, Ohio where he is featured on a sports radio program each week.