Bill Cole, Sr.

Educator & Coach

Bill Cole Sr. graduated from P.S. DuPont H.S. where he excelled on the football, basketball, and baseball teams. He enrolled at the University of Delaware where he earned 11 out of a possible 12 varsity letters in Football, Basketball, and Baseball.His college days were interrupted when he enlisted in the United States Air Corps during WWII and earned his wings as a fighter pilot. Upon the war’s end he finished college and graduated in 1949. He earned Honorable Mention Little All-American honors after his senior season in football and still holds the record for most yards per carry.

Upon graduation, he was hired in 1949 at William Penn High School (WPHS) as a science teacher, athletic director, head football, basketball, and baseball coach. He coached basketball and baseball a handful of years, but he stuck with football for 25 years. He helped bring WPHS’s football program to prominence going undefeated several years before State Championships were played. During one six -year span between 1951-56, WPHS teams combined for a 42-2-2 record. Cole’s teams finished with a career record of 148-70-10. He was excited to be able to return to coaching as a volunteer several years later under new head coach Bruce Reynolds, who was a stand-out player for Cole in the 1960’s. He continued to coach into his 70’s.

Cole helped research for the creation of the State’s first Blue/Gold All-Star Football Game and served as the first Blue head coach. He helped with the creation of the Delaware Interscholastic Football Coaches Association(DIFCA) and served as its first president. He served on the State Football Tournament Committee for many years as well. When the current WPHS was being built, he designed the layout for its athletic fields.

Cole is a member of the State of Delaware Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Delaware Sports Hall of Fame. He is most proud however, of being able to witness so many former players become successful members of society. Cole believes hard work, sacrifice, and working as a team may not always be rewarded on the playing field, but he believes that those attributes will be critical to have in the greater game of life. His family would like to thank all those who by phone, card, or visit have sent their good wishes his way.