In 1980, Jim witnessed 8-Man Football for the very first time and fell in love with the game. He went on to dedicate 28 years of his life to his Cardinal players and 8-man football. In a career that lasted from 1980 to 2007, Coach Cole compiled a spectacular coaching record of 211 wins and 113 losses. During that span, he led 19 of his teams to the state playoffs, with four of those squads reaching the state semi-finals (1988, 1996, 1997, 1998). He was also named as an assistant coach in the 1994 Eight Man All-Star Game and later served as head coach of the West in 1999. Over the years, he would send 16 of his players to compete in the All-Star Game. Jim retired after the 2007 season, but did return for one final run in 2010. Coach Cole looks at the number of former students and players that went on to coach and officiate in Southwest Nebraska as a true source of pride. The NEMFCA is honored to now welcome him into the Eight Man Football Hall of Fame class of 2020-21.