Nathan Cole

Nathan Heath Cole was born on February 26, 1976, in Guntersville, Alabama, to Richard and Shannon Cole of Albertville. Nathan had football in his bloodline. Richard was a three-year letterman who played on two National Championship Teams at the University of Alabama under legendary Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. He was selected as First-Team All-American Defensive Tackle in 1966 and the Crimson Tide Co-Captain. Nathan's older brother, Jason, was an outstanding football player for the Albertville Aggies and a letterman on Bama's 1992 National Championship Team. However, living in the Cole home meant more than just playing sports. Richard and Shannon taught their sons the values of faith, family, and a strong work-ethic. As a young boy, Nathan was in the Cub and Boy Scouts and also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Prior to playing school sports, he was a member of the Albertville Swim Team and played Dixie Youth Baseball. When Nathan entered the 7th grade, he played football for Hall of Fame member Frankie McClendon. He also played basketball for Aggie Coach Cliff Gillies. By the time Nathan reached the 10th grade, he had earned the reputation of being a tough, hard-nosed competitor. Nathan, not only played football and basketball, but ran track and cross-country, and was a very good baseball player, starting two years for Coach George Thorne. He was selected All-County in 1994 and helped the Aggies win a Marshall County Championship. Nathan was also a three-year starter for the Aggie basketball team. The 6-5 and 215 pound center was the team's top rebounder in 1993 and 1994, was selected All-County and All-Area both years, and was the Area MVP as a senior. Nathan also found time to help coach the Special Olympics basketball team.

However, the game in which Nathan really excelled was football. When Nathan started playing varsity football for Coach Paul McAbee as a tenth grader, it did not take long for him to become the starting Defensive End. Cole started 34 consecutive games and the Aggies went to the state football playoffs all three years. The highlight of his junior year came in the first round of the 1992 playoffs. The Aggies won the first playoff game of any Marshall County football team, defeating Cullman in overtime 21-20. Nathan was selected as an All-County and All-Area player that year. As a senior, Nathan again led the Aggies to a state playoff appearance, and was again selected to the All-County and All-Area teams. He also gained state-wide attention and was an Honorable Mention All-State player on both the Birmingham News and Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) teams. Nathan was voted the team captain and was awarded the Vernon Wells Award for his efforts on and off the field. Following the 1993-94 season, Nathan made the decision to play college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks under Head Coach, Danny Ford. In a newspaper interview, Coach McAbee said, "The in-state teams let Arkansas steal a really good player." After redshirting as a freshman, Cole became a 4-year letterman for the Hogs, playing in 47 consecutive games from 1995-1998. He was on the 1995 and 1998 SEC Western Division Championship Teams which went to the Carquest and Citrus Bowls. Nathan played on the defensive side of the ball for the first three years, but due to an injury to the starting tight end, the new Arkansas Head Coach, Houston Nutt, asked Nathan if he would play offense. Being a team-player, Cole agreed. The highlight of his senior year was catching a 4-yard touchdown pass that helped the Hogs beat the Auburn Tigers 24-21 and go on to a regular season 9-2 record and a trip to play Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. Nathan never forgot his spiritual roots and was a regular speaker for the Arkansas Athletes Outreach (AAO), similar to FCA, and also worked at camps for underprivileged and disabled youth. For his efforts on and off the field, Nathan was selected to the "SEC Good Works Team" in 1996 and was awarded the "Iron Hog" Award as a senior. Nathan earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business in 1998 and a Master of Business Administration in 1999. Following graduation, Nathan went to work for the Pfizer Company in Memphis. He now lives in New York City as Pfizer's Director of Business Operations, Global Commercial Training. But the big city boy still comes home as often as possible to visit with his family.