Cole was born in 1906 in
Bauxite, Arkansas. He played
quarterback for the
Arkansas football team. In 1927, he was selected to the All-
Southwest Conference team. During the 1927 season, he broke the school's single season scoring record, which stood until 1965. During his career, he scored 185 points, scoring 22 touchdowns, and making seven field goals. He also played
baseball during his college career. After graduating from Arkansas, Cole coached high school football at
Warren High School, then moved to College of the Ozarks (now
University of the Ozarks). In 1934, he became an assistant coach at Arkansas, while
Fred Thomsen was head coach. In his only season, he compiled a 3–7 record. After 1942, he left Arkansas to serve in
World War II. He returned to Arkansas following the war as an assistant coach. He served in various on-field capacities as a coach, recruiter, and scout until he moved to administrative work in 1958. He replaced
John Barnhill as athletic director in 1970. Six years later, Cole retired. Cole was selected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1963, and, in 1974, he was selected to the Collegiate Athletic Directors Hall of Fame. He died on January 24, 1978, in
Fayetteville, Arkansas. ==Head coaching record==