Mitch Cole was named the 12th head coach in Birmingham-Southern history on July 26, 2006, taking over for Hall of Fame Coach Duane Reboul. Cole enters his 16th year overall in the Panther program, having served 11 seasons as Reboul’s top assistant and three years as the head coach. In the summer of 2006, Cole was charged with rebuilding the BSC Basketball program from scratch as a result of the College’s transition from NCAA Div. I to Div. III. Starting with mostly freshmen and sophomores, Cole’s Panthers have already earned wins over all 11 SCAC opponents. With 44 wins in three seasons, Cole has built a strong foundation for the future of Birmingham-Southern Basketball.

In his 3rd year since the transition from Div. I, Cole led the Panthers to a 20-5 Overall Record claiming the SCAC East Division Championship in 2009-2010. BSC led the SCAC in Scoring (77pg), Scoring Margin (+10.7), Assists (15.2 apg), Steals (9.2 spg) and 3pters made per game (8.6).

A coaching veteran on the Hilltop, Cole has been instrumental in the success of the program, which has amassed over 280 wins during his tenure at BSC. 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 three-point field goal percentage during the 96-97, 97-98, and 98-99 seasons. The Panthers continually ranked in the top five in field goal percentage, and led the nation in 1997-98. After recruiting and developing numerous All-Conference and All-American performers in the NAIA, Cole assisted in the transition to NCAA Division I. Recruiting with a ban on post-season play for five seasons, Cole still managed to successfully recruit and develop players who would propel BSC into immediate success in Division 1. After achieving a 19-9 record in 2002-03, the Panthers went 20-7 in 2003-04, winning the Big South Conference Regular Season Championship. That same year, the Panthers led the NCAA in three-point field goal percentage (43%). BSC would go 16-14 and 19-9 in its last two seasons in Division I. Cole has been instrumental in recruiting and developing true student-athletes who are serious about academics and life after basketball. The program gained national attention by ranking No. 1 in NCAA Division I for graduation rates in the sport of men’s basketball (100%) for athletes enrolling from 1997-2000.

Before arriving at BSC in 1995, Cole received his Master’s of Education from Auburn University. While there, he worked as a graduate assistant with the basketball program under Cliff Ellis, working 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.

In the summer of 1993, Cole coached an Athletes in Action team which toured the Philippines and competed against both professional and college teams throughout the country. Cole has conducted basketball clinics in the Philippines, Spain, and Venezuela, and has helped numerous BSC players continue their playing careers professionally overseas.

In the off-season, Cole directs BSC’s Summer Basketball Camps, attracting thousands of young people to the campus to develop their basketball skills. A student of the game, Cole began the Southern Basketball Coaching Academy, which has attracted high school, college, and pro coaches from around the nation to the Hilltop to exchange ideas on coaching philosophy and leadership.

A New Orleans, La., native, Cole graduated from Holy Cross High School. He played college ball at Montana State University-Billings, where he earned a B.S. degree in Education, majoring in History and Political science in 1992. He and his wife, Amy, have three children, daughter Laura Katherine (7) and sons Carson (5) and Joshua (1).