Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

David Cole is beginning his fourth year as a member of the Lenoir-Rhyne University Football staff in 2019 and serves as Special Teams Coordinator and Secondary Coach as well as the Associate Head Coach.

In 2018, Cole's Special Teams unit produced one of the most dynamic punt returners in the nation. Kyle Dugger earned a National Special Teams Player of the Year award under Cole after becoming the first player in the 99-year history of Lenoir-Rhyne Football to return two punts for a touchdown in the same game. Dugger's TD returns of 69 and 64 yards sent LR to a 34-21 victory over Newberry. Dugger would go on to break the program record for most punt return yardage in a season (534) and would be named All-Conference, All-Region and Honorable Mention All-American for his returning prowess. 

Cole's secondary was also exemplary in 2018 thanks to Dugger as the safety also netted First Team All-Conference accolades at Defensive Back. Fellow DB Eric Jackson was awarded the team's Ronnie Lott Heavy Hitter of the Year award and the secondary accounted for 17 of the Bears 21 interceptions on the year which ranked second in all of Division II.

In his time in Hickory, Cole has also served  as Co-Recruiting Coordinator for the Bears in 2017 and the interim head coach prior to Drew Cronic's hiring.

Cole came to Lenoir-Rhyne after spending 12 seasons as an Assistant Coach at California (Pa.) University.

While with the Vulcans, Cole headed up the secondary and was the team’s recruiting coordinator.  California (Pa.) posted 149 interceptions from 2005 to 2016 with Cole coaching the defensive backs.

At California (Pa.), Cole mentored 10 first-team all-conference players, five first-team all-region honorees, four first-team AFCA All-Americans, seven NFL players, one draft pick and one combine player.

During Cole's tenure with California, the Vulcans advanced to three straight NCAA Division II National Semifinals (2007-09) in addition to five playoff appearances and seven consecutive PSAC West Conference Championships (2005-11).  The 2007 Vulcans' defense was ranked No. 1 in the nation.

In the summer of 2013, Cole did an NFL Internship - the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship Program - for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cole, who holds bachelor's and master's degrees (both in geography and regional planning) from California (Pa.), started his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Vulcans in 2004.

Cole was also a four-year letterwinner and two-year starter for the Vulcans. Cole is an active member of FCA and the AFCA while his family includes his wife, Sharron, and three children:  David (17), Saniya (eight) and Rebekah (three).

WHAT LR HEAD COACH DREW CRONIC SAYS:
"We are so blessed to have David Cole return to our staff.  He did a wonderful job as the interim head coach, and he and I share the same vision and values.  He is an outstanding football coach and teacher, but an even better leader and family man."