University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis Mourns the Passing of Jimmy Cole
Nov 26, 2022 | Football, General
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis is mourning the passing of M-Club Hall of Fame (1977) football student-athlete Jimmy Cole, who passed away on Nov. 17 at the age of 90.
Cole was an inaugural part of the growth of Tiger football following World War II. He came to Memphis under former head coach Ralph Hatley and lettered as a true freshman, working as a tailback, kicker, punter and defensive back.
After helping the team to a record of 9-2 in 1950, Cole played a major role in the Tigers' contest against Mississippi State in 1951. He scored the team's first touchdown on a 65-yard pass interception and then caught a pass in the end zone that would have given the Tigers a 27-21 advantage. However, the officials ruled he was out of bounds and called the play back.
The Commercial Appeal photo the following day clearly showed Cole was in bounds. For his play in 1951, he received Williamson's All-America honors. After missing the 1952 season due to the Korean War, Cole returned in 1953 and again garnered All-America honors from Associated Press.
His most outstanding game came in the win over Southern Miss when he ran 77 yards for a score. He was selected to the Tigers' All-Time Team in 1958 which was picked by former coaches Hatley, Billy J. Murphy, Zach Curlin and Cecil C. Humphreys.
Following his graduation from the University of Memphis, Cole became an official in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) where he served as a back judge.
While officiating in the SEC, Cole worked two Sugar Bowls, two Gator Bowls, two Orange Bowls, two Liberty Bowls and one Cotton Bowl. He moved on to be an official with the National Football League serving as a field judge. During his tenure with the NFL, Cole worked two Pro Bowls, numerous playoff games and two championship games.
Cole was selected a member of the American Football Foundation Hall of Fame as both a player and an official and was also inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
In his professional life, Jimmy worked at Coca Cola, for the City of Memphis as the Director of Solid Waste and the Director HUD. He served on the Planning Commission in the mid to late 1970's. Cole continued his work in the solid waste industry after leaving Memphis in 1982 to work for BFI and Waste Management respectively for the next 26 years until he retired in 2008.
A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, on the campus of the University of Memphis in the Hardaway Hall of Fame. The reception will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Cole is survived by his wife Dawn Cole, children Faith Cole Kobetz (Raymond), Jim Cole, Jr. (Celene), Rusty Vollmer, Dawn C Cole, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Memphis Athletics Fund at the University of Memphis in memory of Mr. James "Jimmy" Cole by going to www.memphis.edu/give, mail a check to 570 Normal Street, Suite 260, Memphis, TN 38152 or call 901-678-2334.
Cole was an inaugural part of the growth of Tiger football following World War II. He came to Memphis under former head coach Ralph Hatley and lettered as a true freshman, working as a tailback, kicker, punter and defensive back.
After helping the team to a record of 9-2 in 1950, Cole played a major role in the Tigers' contest against Mississippi State in 1951. He scored the team's first touchdown on a 65-yard pass interception and then caught a pass in the end zone that would have given the Tigers a 27-21 advantage. However, the officials ruled he was out of bounds and called the play back.
The Commercial Appeal photo the following day clearly showed Cole was in bounds. For his play in 1951, he received Williamson's All-America honors. After missing the 1952 season due to the Korean War, Cole returned in 1953 and again garnered All-America honors from Associated Press.
His most outstanding game came in the win over Southern Miss when he ran 77 yards for a score. He was selected to the Tigers' All-Time Team in 1958 which was picked by former coaches Hatley, Billy J. Murphy, Zach Curlin and Cecil C. Humphreys.
Following his graduation from the University of Memphis, Cole became an official in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) where he served as a back judge.
While officiating in the SEC, Cole worked two Sugar Bowls, two Gator Bowls, two Orange Bowls, two Liberty Bowls and one Cotton Bowl. He moved on to be an official with the National Football League serving as a field judge. During his tenure with the NFL, Cole worked two Pro Bowls, numerous playoff games and two championship games.
Cole was selected a member of the American Football Foundation Hall of Fame as both a player and an official and was also inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
In his professional life, Jimmy worked at Coca Cola, for the City of Memphis as the Director of Solid Waste and the Director HUD. He served on the Planning Commission in the mid to late 1970's. Cole continued his work in the solid waste industry after leaving Memphis in 1982 to work for BFI and Waste Management respectively for the next 26 years until he retired in 2008.
A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, on the campus of the University of Memphis in the Hardaway Hall of Fame. The reception will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Cole is survived by his wife Dawn Cole, children Faith Cole Kobetz (Raymond), Jim Cole, Jr. (Celene), Rusty Vollmer, Dawn C Cole, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Memphis Athletics Fund at the University of Memphis in memory of Mr. James "Jimmy" Cole by going to www.memphis.edu/give, mail a check to 570 Normal Street, Suite 260, Memphis, TN 38152 or call 901-678-2334.
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