M Club Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1977
Jimmy Cole was an inaugural part of the grow of Tiger football following World War II. He came to Memphis under former had coach Ralph Hatley and lettered as a true freshman, working as a tailback, kicker, punter and defensive back. After helping the team to a record of 9-2-0 in 1950, Cole part a major role in the Tigers’ contest against Mississippi State in 1951. He scored the team’s first touchdown on a 65-yard pass interception and then caught a pass in the end zone that would have given the Tigers a 27-21 advantage. However the officials ruled he was out of bounds and called the play back. The Commercial Appeal photo the following day clearly showed Cole was in bounds. For his play in 1951, he received Williamson’s All-America honors. After missing the 1952 season due to the Korean War, Cole returned in 1953 and again garnered All-America honors from Associated Press. His most outstanding game came in the win over Southern Mississippi during which he ran 77 yards for a score. He was selected to the Tigers’ All-Time Team in 1958 which was picked by former coaches Hatley, Billy J. Muprhy, Zach Curlin and Cecil C. Humphreys.
