Former All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) athlete Kevin Cole returned to his alma mater in 2005 to guide the fortunes of the Hope College men's and women's track and field program. He holds the academic rank of associate professor of kinesiology.
The 2012 season marked an historic point in Hope track and field when both the men's and women's teams captured the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) in the same year. The Flying Dutchmen were also MIAA co-champions in 2011. Through the 2013 season he has coached 41 conference champions in men's track & field and nine NCAA All-American performances.
A 1988 Hope graduate, Cole was formerly at Adrian College where he chaired the department of exercise science and physical education. Prior to joining the Adrian faculty in 1998, he taught and coached track and field at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. He holds the masters of science degree in physical education from Texas Christian University and the Ph.D. in human bioenergetics from Ball State University.
Cole was a four-time All-MIAA athlete, twice in both cross country and track. He was a two-time MIAA champion in the 800-meter run, setting Hope and conference records in the event. He was co-captain of the cross country and track & field teams as a senior.
He is a native of Jenison. His wife, Lynn Kingma Cole, is a 1990 Hope graduate. The Coles have three children.
