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1. Football Players
2. J.W. Cole 1949-1950

J.W. Cole

Roster Info

Season	Class	#	Pos	Ht	Wt
1949
1950	JR	72	RT	6-0	210

Personal Info

(The Oklahoman) James William "Coach" Cole, 86, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2014, at Mercy Hospital. J.W. had been ill for the past year, suffering from dementia.Coach Cole was born on August 14, 1927 at Hollis, Oklahoma, which he always considered as home. Born to the late James William Cole, Sr. and Cora Gresham Cole, J.W. was greatly influenced by his grade school, Junior High and Senior School coach and dear friend, Joe Bailey Metcalf, in the direction and occupation he would follow in his life. Following graduation from high school J.W. had earned a football scholarship at the University of Oklahoma. At O.U. he was lineman on the football team and on the varsity squad for three years, contributing to the 31 straight victories the Sooners chalked up during that time. He was a member of the 1950 National Championship squad, coached by Bud Wilkinson, his mentor and idol. He graduated at O.U. in 1951 and worked the following year as an assistant line coach with the Sooners.J.W. and the former Lottie Payne were married August 26th, 1950. They were the parents of three daughters, Jan, Jo Caron and Kaylin. J.W.'s coaching career was interrupted for a time when he was called to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. 1st Lt. Cole served honorably and for his service was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, the United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.J.W. was chosen by Coach Metcalf to be his assistant coach at Southwestern State University at Weatherford, Oklahoma. This was his first coaching job after a tour of duty, serving in the U.S. Army in Korea. In 1966 J.W. went to Northwestern State College where he was for two years the line coach before being named head coach of the NW State Rangers football team. J.W. has a long and successful career in coaching, teaching and being a high school principal. He and Lottie have called Norman, Lawton, Weatherford, and Alva, Oklahoma; Clovis New Mexico, and for the last 39 years Ardmore, home. One of his favorite positions was from 1978 to 1990 when he was high school principal at Lone Grove High School. Coach Cole was of Baptist faith from a very early age, and his family was very involved in church activities.He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Lottie Cole of the home; daughters, Jan Rhoton of Borger, TX, Jo Caron Cole of Ft. Worth, TX and Kaylin McCarty and husband Bob McCarty of St. Peters, MO; three grandsons, Matthew McCarty and his wife Emily, Cameron McCarty and Brandon McCarty; sister, Juanita Spencer of Amarillo, TX; sister-in-law, Lou Ann White; nephew, Otis Burk; nieces, Barcine Smith, Raylene Robison, Cookie Scott, Mona Hodges and Lola Warnix; and he leaves behind his little companion dog, Rudy. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and 3 sisters.Private family services were at the Harvey-Douglas Centennial Chapel.Cremation-With Care was provided by Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home and Crematory; Condolences to the family may be sent online at www.hdouglsfuneralhome.com.

Notes

• A (C) indicates that the player was a captain for that season (named before each game in 1982, 1995 through 1998, and 2022 to present).
• Related To refers to other OU athletes only.
• Calculations for career totals will be skewed if the season totals are incomplete.