“I am thrilled to be joining Wes Flanigan and the basketball program at Little Rock,” Cole said. “My relationship with coach Flanigan dates back to when he was a player, and I know his passion and work ethic both on and off the court. He played a large role in the resurgence of Little Rock basketball and we both share the same vision of developing our players and sustaining a championship program. My family and I are excited about becoming part of the Little Rock community.”
Cole was part of Billy Kennedy’s teams at Texas A&M that won 49 games over the last two seasons, including a program-record 28 in 2015-16. The Aggies climbed as high as No. 5 in the AP Top 25 and USA TODAY Coaches Poll, achieving the highest ranking in school history.
“Mitch Cole brings a wealth of experience, just like Kwanza Johnson, to our staff,” Flanigan said. “He’s been in the SEC; Texas A&M has been very successful there. Last year they were one of the top teams in the SEC and made it to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. I think highly of him being on the floor coaching our guys. He’s going to be able to help us in a lot of areas within our program and is going to be vital to our success in the coming years.”
Texas A&M went on to win the regular-season Southeastern Conference Championship in 2015-16 to earn its first league title since 1986. The Aggies reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament to cap one of the best seasons in program history.
“Mitch is one of the best teachers of the game I’ve ever been around,” Kennedy said. “His five years at A&M are a big reason why we won the SEC Championship. He was a part of all aspects in our program. He was a big help in game preparation and practice planning every day. We will miss him and his family, but know he has a great opportunity at Little Rock with Wes Flanigan.”
Cole came to A&M after one of the most successful seasons in BSC men’s basketball history, leading the Panthers to a 23-4 overall record in 2010-11 and winning the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship with a 14-2 conference mark. Upon Cole’s departure, the Panthers held one of the nation’s longest home winning streaks, having won their last 30 games inside Bill Battle Coliseum. The Panthers ended the season by winning the NCAA Division III Provisional Tournament Championship in Steubenville, Ohio. Cole was named d3hoops.com South Region Coach of the Year.
Taking over as the college’s 12th men’s head basketball coach in 2006, Cole was tasked with rebuilding the program from scratch as a result of BSC’s move from NCAA Division I to Division III. He quickly built the Panthers into a contender, achieving a 13-12 record with 15 freshmen in 2007-08. Two years later, the Panthers went 20-5 and won the SCAC East Division title. In his last two seasons at BSC, Cole’s teams went 43-9, leading the SCAC in scoring each year.
Cole spent 11 seasons as an assistant under Hall of Fame coach Duane Reboul. He was instrumental in the success of a program that amassed over 300 wins during his tenure at BSC. In 2000, Cole assisted in the school’s transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division I. Despite recruiting and coaching with a ban on postseason play for five seasons, Cole managed to successfully recruit and develop players who would propel BSC into immediate success in Division I.
After a successful 19-9 season in 2002-03, BSC went 20-7 in 2003-04 and won the Big South Conference Championship. That season, the Panthers led all of Division I in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 43 percent from the arc.
From 1996-2000, the Panthers made five consecutive trips to the NAIA National Tournament. Cole helped direct an offense that was ranked No. 1 in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage during the 1996-97, 1997-98, and 1998-99 seasons. The Panthers consistently ranked in the top-five nationally in field goal percentage, and led the nation in 1997-98. During his 16 years at BSC, Cole recruited and developed numerous All-American and All-Conference performers while achieving one of the nation’s highest graduation rates.
Before arriving at BSC in 1995, Cole earned his master’s in education from Auburn while working as a graduate assistant with the basketball program under Cliff Ellis. Cole worked with the team in the areas of player development and strength and conditioning.
Prior to his stint at Auburn, Cole began his career as a volunteer assistant coach at Southeastern Louisiana University in 1992. While serving at the Hammond, La., school, Cole’s responsibilities included floor coaching, scouting opponents, and administrative duties.
Throughout his coaching career, Cole has helped grow the game in many areas. He has directed basketball camps and clinics in the United States and around the world, including Spain, Philippines, Peru, Venezuela, Germany and Latvia.
While in Birmingham, Cole created the Southern Basketball Coaching Academy, which attracted high school, college, and pro coaches from around the nation to discuss tactics and coaching philosophy. Cole has also established a Fall Coaching and Leadership Forum where coaches come together to exchange ideas on basketball, leadership and holistic development of players and programs.
A New Orleans, La., native, Cole graduated from Holy Cross High School in 1988. He played collegiately at Montana State University-Billings, where he double majored in history and education and graduated in 1992. He and his wife, Amy, have three children: daughter Laura Kate and sons Carson and Joshua.
