Cole graduated from Kentridge High School in Kent, Washington, and attended Pacific Lutheran University from 1993 to 1997, where she competed in four years of collegiate women's soccer.

[3] In June 2023, she joined the World Cup-bound Zambia women's national football team as a technical advisor.

After returning from international duties in Papua New Guinea in 2017, Cole joined the Houston Dash as an assistant coach to Vera Pauw.

[12][13] Prior to the establishment of WPS, Cole served as first assistant for the SoccerPlus CT Reds in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) under Tony DiCicco.

[citation needed] Cole started her NCAA Division I Women's Soccer coaching career as an Assistant at the University of Mississippi in 1997.

During her time there, the Ole Miss Rebels advanced to the 1999 Southeastern Conference Tournament Final and finished as SEC Western Division Regular Season Champions.

In her tenure there, Cole coached the 2002 Big East goalkeeper of the year and helped the team to reach the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Final (2002), Sweet 16, (2001), and Elite 8 (2002).

In 2006, Cole also spent time volunteering in Brazil with Cross-Cultural Solutions working in orphanages and teaching soccer (futbol) in schools.