Tulsa Women’s Basketball Adds Cory Cole, Former Oklahoma Christian Men’s Basketball Head Coach, as Assistant Coach

Tulsa women's basketball head coach Matilda Mossman announced today the addition of Cory Cole as an assistant coach with the program. Cole comes to Tulsa after serving the past three years as the head coach for the Oklahoma Christian University men's basketball team.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Cory, his wife Cristi, and their family to The University of Tulsa," Mossman said. "Cory brings an immense amount of experience as a coach, but more importantly, the ability to develop relationships with everyone he comes into contact with. He will coordinate our recruiting efforts, and will also give us a strong presence in the areas of skill development and in-game management. We can't wait for him to get started!"

"Women's basketball is where my heart lies," Cole said. "I coached women's basketball for 17 years and I wouldn't have jumped to the men's side if it wasn't for my alma mater. After three seasons, I knew I was missing the women's side. When the opportunity came up at Tulsa, I knew I had to jump at the chance. I've known Matilda and Shane [Coffey] for several years and there was a connection and fit right away. I also am excited to coach in the American Athletic Conference and have the chance to face UConn every year. I want to help Tulsa be relevant in the league. Coaching at Tulsa also gives our family the opportunity to stay in Oklahoma."

In his three years at the helm for the Eagles (2016-2019), Cole posted a 31-54 mark, including a 4-4 mark against teams that spent time ranked among the top-25 in Division II. He led the team to the Heartland Conference Championship finals in 2018 and semifinals in 2019. Cole managed all aspects of the program, including supervision of the staff, budget management, basketball operations, academic monitoring, fundraising and travel.

Prior to his head coaching duties at OC, Cole served as the associate head coach at Grand Canyon University on the women's side for seven years (2009-2016). His primary duties included serving as recruiting and defensive coordinator, player development and opponent scouts. Cole helped the Lopes advance to the NCAA Division II Tournament in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and then was instrumental in the transition to Division I prior to the 2013-14 season. In their first season at the Division I level, GCU registered a 20-10 mark and advanced to the Women's Basketball Invitational.

Before his stint at Grand Canyon, Cole was an assistant coach with the women's basketball program at Oklahoma Christian (1997-2006). He helped the Eagles make eight-straight NAIA National Tournament appearances, including advancing to the round of 16 five times and the quarterfinals in 2003. Cole coached 17 NAIA All-Americans and 22 all-conference honorees.

Prior to his nine years with the OC women's program, Cole spent the 1996-97 season working with the OC men's basketball program as an assistant coach.

Cole was a four-year letterwinner (1990-94) and one of OC basketball's all-time greats, earning an induction into the OC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000. He was the 1994 Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Year, 1994 first-team All-American, 1993 third-team All-America selection, three-time all-SAC first-team honoree and 1993 NAIA all-District 9 performer. Cole helped lead the Eagles to an NAIA Tournament berth in 1994, while concluding his career with 1,916 points and 1,322 rebounds. He still ranks first in school history for rebounds and fourth for points scored.

After concluding his collegiate career, Cole played professionally in England for the Thames Valley Tigers during the 1995-96 season. He was a Budweiser League All-Star, and averaged 21.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.

A Norman, Okla., native, Cole helped Norman High School go undefeated and win the championship in the state's highest class as a freshman in 1990.

Cole and his wife, Cristi, have two daughters, Crislyn and Caylor, and one son, Caison.

Cole replaces former assistant coach Roman Owen who is now serving as an assistant coach at North Texas.

Tulsa Women’s Basketball Adds Cory Cole, Former Oklahoma Christian Men’s Basketball Head Coach, as Assistant Coach

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