George Cole (American football)

George R. Cole (February 24, 1906 – January 24, 1978) was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at the College of the Ozarks—now known as the University of the Ozarks—in Clarksville, Arkansas from 1930 to 1933 and the University of Arkansas in 1942, compiling a record of 3–7. Cole was also the athletic director at Arkansas from 1970 to 1973.

George Cole
Biographical details
Born(1906-02-24)February 24, 1906
Bauxite, Arkansas, U.S.
DiedJanuary 24, 1978(1978-01-24) (aged 71)
Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1925–1927Arkansas
Baseball
1926–1928Arkansas
Position(s)Quarterback (football)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1928–1929Warren HS (AR)
1930–1933Ozarks
1934–1941Arkansas (assistant)
1942Arkansas
1945–1958Arkansas (assistant)
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1930–1934Ozarks
1957–1970Arkansas (assistant AD)
1970–1973Arkansas
Head coaching record
Overall16–24–1 (college)

Biography

Cole was born in 1906 in Bauxite, Arkansas.[1] He played quarterback for the Arkansas football team.[2] 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).[3] 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.[2][4]

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.[5]

Head coaching record

College
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Ozarks Mountaineers (Independent) (1930–1933)
1930 Ozarks 2–6
1931 Ozarks 4–4
1932 Ozarks 1–5
1933 Ozarks 6–2–1
Ozarks: 13–17–1
Arkansas Razorbacks (Southwest Conference) (1942)
1942 Arkansas 3–70–67th
Arkansas: 3–70–6
Total:16–24–1

References
  1. "Inductees". Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  2. Henry, Orville; Bailey, Jim (1996). "13". The Razorbacks: a story of Arkansas football. University of Arkansas Press. pp. 74–77. ISBN 978-1-55728-430-3. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  3. "University of the Ozarks Today" (PDF). University of the Ozarks. Winter 2003. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  4. Haley, Ish (July 1, 1970). "George Cole Reaches The Top". The Northwest Arkansas Times. Fayetteville, Arkansas. p. 23. Retrieved October 21, 2020 – via Newspapers.com open access.
  5. "Former Arkansas A.D., Cole, Dies". The Star Press. Muncie, Indiana. United Press International. January 25, 1978. p. 10. Retrieved October 21, 2020 – via Newspapers.com open access.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.