SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- John Brown University director of athletics Robyn Daugherty announced Wednesday (July 8) afternoon the hiring of Chris Cole '87 as the next head coach of the men's soccer program.
"I am very thankful that Chris is joining our staff," said Daugherty. "I believe he is the right person to lead this team and I believe the student-athletes will thrive under his leadership."
The program's fifth head coach takes over a team that finished 17-4-1 (8-1-0 Sooner Athletic) in 2019, a season that included the program's first-ever SAC regular season title, second-ever SAC tournament title (2002) and matching the all-time single-season win mark (1993). The Golden Eagles went on to make its sixth appearance in the NAIA National Championships.
"I am grateful to God and JBU for the opportunity," Cole admitted. "It is a privilege to return to JBU, where I played, met my wife, and where both of my sons played. I look forward to coaching with an excellent staff, in leading such a quality group of young men, and hope to build on the success of last season while honoring God in all we do. Christ over all."
Cole spent the last 17 years at Grace International School as a coach, teacher and athletics director. While serving as the boy's soccer and boy's futsal head coach, he also served as middle school and religious studies (secondary) department head. While at Grace, the boy's soccer squad captured the Chiang Mai Athletic Conference (CMAC) tournament title 12 of the 14 years Cole manned the helm of the squad. As athletics director, Cole oversaw sport offerings from third through twelfth grade, including boy's and girl's soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, cross country and badminton.
Chris Cole, 1987 (pictured on right)
Before a two-year stint at Galatian Academy in Ankara, Turkey, Cole spent seven seasons at NCAA II Colorado Christian from 1989-96. After a pair of seasons as assistant coach, Cole took the reigns of the program for five years in Lakewood, Colo.
The tall center defender wore the Blue and Gold for four seasons (1984-87), appearing in 61 contests and racking up three goals and one assist (nine points) from the back line. The three-time NCCAA All-District selection led John Brown to a 35-26-9 (.658) record over the four seasons and helped the Golden Eagles to an NCCAA National Championship as a freshman. While he patrolled the back line, JBU allowed an 1.49 goals-against average during his collegiate career.
The December 1987 graudate earned a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism and while coaching at Colorado Christian, completed his Masters in Education at Regis University in 2003.
Cole and his wife, Kellie, will make the transition to Siloam Springs shortly. The couple have three adult children in Jessica, Cameron '13 and Corey '16. Like their father, both Cameron and Corey enjoyed four-year careers in the Blue and Gold.
// WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT CHRIS COLE
Chris is a great hire for JBU and the men's soccer program. Chris was an outstanding player as he anchored a stingy back line as a strong central defender. He was smart, athletic and a terrific leader on and off the field. When we were first growing the program in the early 1980's, Chris provided a great role model for his teammates to follow. He was a solid, Christian young man who provided us with the foundation on which to build the program.– Bob Gustavson, former head men's soccer coach (1980-08)
I am so excited that Chris brings a rich understanding of the ethos and legacy of the men's soccer program at John Brown University. His coaching experience, leadership skills and discipleship focus will be key assets for him as he works with this current group of very talented student-athletes.– Stephen Bos, former men's soccer student-athlete (1990-93)
