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L. C. Cole

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For the Ohio politician, see Leander C. Cole.

L. C. Cole
Current position
TitleAssistant head coach & defensive coordinator
TeamClark Atlanta
ConferenceSIAC
Biographical details
Born (1956-01-03) January 3, 1956 (age 68)
Springfield, Ohio, U.S.
Playing career
1975–1979Nebraska
1980New York Jets*
1981–1982Austin Texans
1982Boston Breakers
Position(s)Defensive end, outside linebacker, strong safety
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1982 (spring)Southwest Texas State (GA)
1982Nebraska (DE)
1983–1984New Mexico State (OLB)
1985Ball State (DE)
1986Kansas State (DE)
1987Kansas State (OLB)
1988–1989Wisconsin (OLB)
1990Toledo (RB)
1991–1992Morgan State (DC)
1993Eastern Michigan (ST/RB)
1994–1995Cincinnati (AHC/RB)
1996–1999Tennessee State
2000–2002Alabama State
2004Concordia–St. Paul (AHC/DC)
2005Lane (DC)
2006–2007Sidney Lanier HS (AL)
2008Texas Southern (DC)
2009–2010Stillman
2011Concordia (AL) (DC)
2012–2013Wilcox Central HS (AL)
2014Central HS (AL) (DC)
2015–2016Fairfield Prep (AL)
2018–2019Loachapoka HS (AL)
2020–2021Park Crossing HS (AL)
2022–2023Allen (AHC/DC/ST)
2024–presentClark Atlanta (AHC/DC)
Head coaching record
Overall41–48 (college; 14 wins vacated)
42–67 (high school)
Tournaments0–2 (NCAA D-I-AA playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 OVC (1998–1999)
Awards
2× OVC Coach of the Year (1998–1999)

Lawrence "L. C." Cole (born January 3, 1956)[1] is an American college football coach and former player. He is the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for Clark Atlanta University, positions he has held since 2024.[2] He was the head football coach for Tennessee State University from 1996 to 1999, Alabama State University to 2000 to 2002, Sidney Lanier High School from 2006 to 2007, Stillman College from 2009 to 2010, Wilcox Central High School from 2012 to 2013, Fairfield High Preparatory School from 2015 to 2016, Loachapoka High School from 2018 to 2019, and Park Crossing High School from 2020 to 2021.

After a successful, but controversial, stint as head coach at Alabama State University, Cole revived the storied football program at Montgomery, Alabama's Sidney Lanier High School; during Cole's two years at Lanier, the Poets won the City Championship each year, and they never lost to a city opponent. Lanier reached the state playoffs each year, making it to the quarterfinals in 2006. On December 3, 2008, Cole was announced as Stillman College's third head coach since the reinstatement of the program in 1999 in replacing Greg Thompson.[3] Following the 2010 season, Cole was fired as head coach, and replaced with Stillman alumnus Teddy Keaton.[4]

Playing career

[edit]

Cole played high school football from Dunbar High School where he was also an All-American.[5] From 1975 to 1979, he played college football for Nebraska under Tom Osborne as a defensive end. He was a team captain and an All-Pac-8 selection in his senior season.[5]

In 1980, after going undrafted in the 1980 NFL draft, Cole signed with the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL) as an outside linebacker and strong safety.[6] Before the season Cole suffered a shoulder injury and was released.

In 1981, Cole signed with the Austin Texans, a minor league team in Texas that was a member of the American Football Association (AFA).[7] Before signing with the Texans, the team has given up a league-worst 420.7 yards and 40.8 points per game. In his first game, he helped hold the San Antonio Charros to just 249 yards and just 25 yards on 26 carries.[8]

In 1982, Cole signed with the Boston Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL).[9]

Coaching career

[edit]

In 1982, Cole began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for Southwest Texas State.[10] Before signing with the Boston Breakers in the fall of 1982, he served as a part-time defensive ends coach at his alma mater, Nebraska, under his head coach Tom Osborne.[11] In 1983, he was hired as the outside linebackers coach for New Mexico State.[11] He helped coach two future NFL draft picks: linebackers Fredd Young and Leo Barker.[12] In 1985, he was hired by first-year head coach Paul Schudel at Ball State as his defensive ends coach.[5][10] In 1986, Cole moved to Kansas State as the defensive ends coach under Stan Parrish.[13] He transitioned to outside linebackers in 1987.[14] In 1988, he accepted a similar position with Wisconsin.[15] In 1990, he accepted his first position as an offensive coach as he was hired as the running backs coach for Toledo.[16]

In 1991, Cole was among the final candidates for the head coaching position at Morgan State after the departure of Ed Wyche. Instead, the job went to Ricky Diggs. After returning to Toledo to coach running backs, Cole was approached by Diggs with the offer of becoming the defensive coordinator for Morgan State. Cole accepted his first coordinator position under Diggs.[17] After the 1992 season, Diggs was under fire and 66 of the team's players signed a petition for his dismissal and Cole was frequently named as the preferred successor.[18] Diggs was ultimately not removed from his post and he dismissed Cole entirely.[19] In 1993, Cole was hired as the running backs coach and special teams coordinator for Eastern Michigan.[20] In 1994, he joined Cincinnati as assistant head coach and running backs coach.[citation needed]

After two seasons with Cincinnati, Cole was hired as the head football coach for Tennessee State. He hired his brother, Johnnie, as his offensive coordinator.[21] In his first season, he helped improve the team from a 2–9 record in 1995 to a 4–7 in 1996.[22] During the 1997 season and into the 1998 season, Cole and his brother were both under investigation by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for violations.[23] During the 1998 season, both of them were suspended for the team's homecoming game. Tennessee State self-imposed the suspension in hopes of reducing potential future sanctions by the NCAA.[24] Despite the suspension, Cole and Tennessee State finished the season with a 9–3 record and a trip to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, their best season since 1986.[25] In 1999, the details of the NCAA violations were released. The allegations were that either Cole brother provided transportation, tickets, and cash to a player alongside contacting players from other schools prior to receiving written permission from the schools. It was also revealed that Tennessee State had admitted two athletes who competed under false names along with every football player receiving monetary compensation for making it to the playoffs.[26] Johnnie had been suspended from his duties since 1998, while L. C. remained as head coach, but was later alleged to have provided false and misleading information during the NCAA's investigation.[27][28] Despite all the investigations and allegations, Cole helped lead Tennessee State to an unbeaten regular season and their second-straight Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) title.[29] He resigned after the 1999 season amidst the turmoil. His career coaching record at Tennessee State was 28–18.[30]

In 2000, Cole was hired as the head football coach for Alabama State. He joined a program that was in the process of attempting to move from the NCAA Division I-AA level to the NCAA Division I-A level.[31] In his inaugural season, his team went 6–5, their best since 1995.[32] In 2001, Alabama State finished 8–4 and earned a trip to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship game.[33] During the 2002 and 2003 seasons, Cole and the school he coached for came under fire by the NCAA and were once again investigated.[34] Cole was placed on unpaid administrative leave prior to the 2003 season.[35] He was officially fired in December 2003.

After not coaching in 2003 due to the investigation, Cole was hired as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for Concordia–St. Paul.[36] In 2004, Cole rejoined his brother, this time as his assistant at Lane.[37]

Personal life

[edit]

Cole and his wife, Mitzi,[38] have one son together. His wife was born in Madison, Wisconsin. His son is from Nashville, Tennessee. His parents are Ruby Cole and Timothy Cole. He was the fourth of nine brothers;[38] including Johnnie, who was the head football coach for Lane and Texas Southern.[21]

Head coaching record

[edit]

College

[edit]
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Rank#
Tennessee State Tigers (Ohio Valley Conference) (1996–1999)
1996 Tennessee State 4–7 3–5 T–6th
1997 Tennessee State 4–7 4–3 T–4th
1998 Tennessee State 9–3 6–1 1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 12
1999 Tennessee State 11–1 7–0 1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 11
Tennessee State: 28–18 20–9
Alabama State Hornets (Southwestern Athletic Conference) (2000–2002)
2000 Alabama State 0–5 (6–5) 0–2 (5–2) T–1st (Eastern)
2001 Alabama State 0–4 (8–4) 0–1 (6–1) 1st (Eastern)
2002 Alabama State 6–6 2–5 5th (Eastern)
Alabama State: 6–15 (20–15) 2–8 (13–8)
Stillman Tigers (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (2009–2010)
2009 Stillman 4–7 2–7 9th
2010 Stillman 3–8 2–7 T–8th
Stillman: 7–15 4–14
Total: 41–48 (55–48)
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

High school

[edit]
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Sidney Lanier Poets () (2006–2007)
2006 Sidney Lanier 7–5 5–2 2nd
2007 Sidney Lanier 3–7 3–4 4th
Sidney Lanier: 10–12 8–6
Wilcox Central Jaguars () (2012–2013)
2012 Wilcox Central 3–11 2–8 7th
2013 Wilcox Central 3–7 2–5 6th
Wilcox Central: 6–18 4–13
Fairfield Prep Tigers () (2015–2016)
2015 Fairfield Prep 7–4 3–4 5th
2016 Fairfield Prep 7–5 5–2 3rd
Fairfield Prep: 14–9 8–6
Loachapoka Indians () (2018–2019)
2018 Loachapoka 4–5 2–4 5th
2019 Loachapoka 4–6 2–4 5th
Loachapoka: 8–11 4–8
Park Crossing Thunderbirds () (2020–2021)
2020 Park Crossing 4–7 2–4 5th
2021 Park Crossing 0–10 0–7 8th
Park Crossing: 4–17 2–11
Total: 42–67

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Reese, Earnest (September 28, 1996). "L.C. Cole has big job on his plate". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 70. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "Teddy Keaton Announces 2024 Coaching Staff Hires for CAU Football". Clark Atlanta University Athletics. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  3. ^ Carroll, Andrew (December 4, 2008). "L.C. Cole is Stillman Tigers' new head football coach". The Tuscaloosa News.
  4. ^ Carroll, Andrew (December 8, 2010). "Keaton enthusiastic about Stillman College job". The Tuscaloosa News.
  5. ^ a b c "Schudel Completes BSU Coaching Staff With Three Assistants". The Star Press. January 9, 1985. p. 12. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  6. ^ "L.C. Cole signs". Lincoln Journal Star. May 22, 1980. p. 25. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  7. ^ Bohls, Kirk (July 19, 1981). "AFA, Texans building from the ground floor". Austin American-Statesman. p. 134. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  8. ^ Cromwell, Carter (July 4, 1981). "Texans' Cole happy to be playing again". Austin American-Statesman. p. 50. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  9. ^ "Breakers sign Texans star". Austin American-Statesman. October 6, 1982. p. 29. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Cox, Monte (September 21, 1985). "BSU Assistant Coach is Still a Player at Heart". Muncie Evening Press. p. 7. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Lujan, Julio (August 15, 1983). "Big changes are evident at NMSU". El Paso Times. p. 24. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  12. ^ Lujan, Julio (May 2, 1984). "Seattle takes Young in 3rd round". El Paso Times. p. 12. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  13. ^ Elliott, Mal (February 4, 1986). "Kansas State Adds Cole to Football Staff". The Wichita Eagle. p. 10. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  14. ^ "Parrish announces assignments". The Manhattan Mercury. June 4, 1987. p. 9. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  15. ^ "'Cats Cole leaving". The Manhattan Mercury. May 11, 1988. p. 11. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  16. ^ Brophy, Bill (August 3, 1990). "Insurance deals and Fish stories". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 17. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  17. ^ Stewart, John W. (October 19, 1991). "Cole can't beat Diggs, so he joined him". The Baltimore Sun. p. 30. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  18. ^ "Morgan St. players seek coach's dismissal". The Lincoln Star. November 20, 1992. p. 21. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  19. ^ McMullen, Paul (February 4, 1993). "Morgan gets bumper crop of recruits". The Baltimore Sun. p. 89. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  20. ^ Derowitsch, Mark (May 26, 1993). "Kier decides to bypass NWU and play basketball at Peru State". Lincoln Journal Star. p. 31. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  21. ^ a b Wood, Tom (August 25, 1996). "Offensive coordinator aims to make his brother proud". The Tennesseean. p. 7. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  22. ^ Coleman, Anthony (August 21, 1997). "TSU's time: Now". The Tennessean. p. 73. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  23. ^ Coleman, Anthony (July 28, 1998). "TSU coaches fight accusations". The Tennessean. p. 17. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  24. ^ Climer, David (October 23, 1998). "No Coles at this TSU homecoming". The Tennessean. p. 14. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  25. ^ Coleman, Anthony (November 26, 1998). "TSU foe running the show". The Tennessean. p. 66. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  26. ^ Coleman, Anthony (September 22, 1999). "TSU admits to violations, which Johnnie Cole denies". The Tennessean. p. 107. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  27. ^ "NCAA says TSU's Cole lied". The Daily News-Journal. February 12, 1999. p. 16. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  28. ^ Coleman, Anthony (December 8, 1999). "NCAA probe keeps Johnnie Cole idle". The Tennessean. p. 24. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  29. ^ Sims, Kelvin (December 21, 1999). "Cole may top ASU wish list". The Montgomery Advertiser. p. 11. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  30. ^ Tennessee State University coaching records Archived July 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  31. ^ Fryer, Jenna (January 27, 2000). "Alabama St. trustee blasts program". Tallahassee Democrat. p. 21. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  32. ^ Dunn, Graham (December 2, 2000). "Now it's 'hunting season' at ASU". The Montgomery Advertiser. p. 68. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  33. ^ Moon, Josh (December 8, 2001). "Reloading begins now". The Montgomery Adveriser. p. 61. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  34. ^ Moon, Josh (July 26, 2003). "Coles stunned by ASU probe". The Montgomery Advertiser. p. 15. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  35. ^ "Alabama asks for Price relief". Wisconsin State Journal. August 5, 2003. p. 16. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  36. ^ Moon, Josh (April 3, 2004). "L.C. Cole returns to coaching". The Montgomery Advertiser. p. 9. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  37. ^ "Lane (continued from cover)". The Jackson Sun. May 11, 2005. p. 16. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  38. ^ a b "The L.C. Cole file". The Tennessean. January 28, 1996. p. 178. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
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