Coward began his college career at Division III Willamette University. In his only season with the Bearcats, averaged 19.4 points and 12.0 rebounds per game and was named the Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Northwest.[2]
After his freshman season, Coward transferred to Eastern Washington University. In his first season with the Eastern Washington Eagles, he averaged 7.3 points per game with 5.6 rebounds per game[3] Coward was named first-team All-Big Sky Conference as a junior after averaging 15.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.[4] After the season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal.[5]
Coward committed to transfer to Washington State.[6] He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury six games into his first season with the team.[7] At the time of his injury, Coward was the Cougars' leading scorer at 17.7 points per game and was averaging seven rebounds per game.[8]
