Dr. Coons grew up outside Atlanta in Alpharetta, Georgia. He attended the University of Virginia for his undergraduate degree and then worked for several years in pediatric clinical research before attending Eastern Virginia Medical School. He completed residency at the University of North Carolina. He has a special interest in early childhood development.

Dr. Coons has two children with his wife, Melissa. He enjoys hiking, working on computers and other gadgets, and rooting for his favorite teams including the Hoos and Atlanta professional sports.