[1][4] In their 1951 game against the Mississippi State Maroons, Cole played a major role, scoring a 65-yard interception return touchdown and what should have been the game-winning reception to win 27–21.

"[8] His best career game came against Mississippi Southern on October 31 that season,[4] when he played a key role in helping Memphis State pull off the 27–13 upset.

[9] In each of three successive plays in the match, Cole blocked a field goal to keep the score a 13–13 tie, returned a kickoff 77-yards for a touchdown, and kicked the extra point to put the team up 20–13.

[9] Following the 1953 season, where he helped Memphis State compile a 6–4 record, Cole received honorable mention on the 1953 Little All-America college football team.

[11] After graduating from Memphis State in 1955, Cole began an officiating career, starting at the school's prep games.

[1] Widely regarded as one of their "elite" officials, Cole was brought into the National Football League (NFL) as a field judge in 1970.