Cole steps down at EDW

If there is a surgery to get tear ducts repaired, Eddie Cole said he probably needs it.

After 32 years and 13 state championships, the E.D. White track and cross country coach has decided to step down from his post to accept the same position at Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge. Cole made the decision because he wanted to be near his family.

“It’s a combination of factors but family is a part of it,” Cole stated. “My mom is 87 and she is slowing down some and needs a little help … and my wife and I have two stepsons that live in Baton Rouge with their wives and we have grandchildren there now. It’ll give us the opportunity to spend more time with them as well.”

When Cole arrived in Thibodaux, it was supposed to be only for one year. The Baton Rouge native said he had never been to Thibodaux, taking a wrong turn and ending up in Houma on his first visit. By the time he found Thibodaux and E.D. White, that one-year suddenly became 32.

“I enjoyed my first year here so much that one year lead to two, and then to ten and before I knew it 32 years,” Cole said. “I’ve had a wonderful time at E.D. White and in Thibodaux. I loved all the people I had the opportunity to work with.”

Despite lettering in track and cross country at LSU, Cole’s first job at the school was a basketball coach. At the time, E.D. White had a lack of basketball coaches and when Cole mentioned he had gone to college with a Louisiana basketball legend, he was asked to take the job.

“I really needed a job,” he said. “When I pointed out that I had gone to college with “Pistol” Pete Maravich, it seemed to pique their interests. I made my name in track or cross country, but I wouldn’t have been here if it hadn’t been for basketball.”

Apparently it worked out for Cole as he did take over the reigns of the track and cross country programs the next year and won his first state championships in girl’s track back-to-back in 1978 and 1979. Since then, the girl’s track team has finished runner-up numerous times and third this past season, failing to get that elusive third title.

On the boy’s side, Cole led the Cardinals to five championships in the 1980s and has led the team to six straight titles since 2002. And each title was better than the last, he says.

“The highlight of my career would have to be winning the state championship in cross country,” Cole said. “The kids have always given the kind of championship effort that is almost beyond coaching, they just totally commit to the goal at hand. It’s very humbling as a coach to witness that. As for our last six state championships, each one seemed to get a little sweeter.”

At Episcopal, Cole will take over the reigns of a track and cross country program that finished third in the state in cross country and were state champions in track. He takes over for Butch Halveston who retired following the season, which resulted in a state championship.

“I told their outgoing coach, what kind of fool would replace a beloved old coach who’s leaving after winning the state championship,” Cole said. “Well, that would be me.”

As far as the future of E.D. White, Cole is confident the Cardinals will continue their success under their new head coaches Don Grabert for the guys and Charlotte Smith for the girls.

“I promised them that I am leaving them more than I found when I got here 32 years ago,” Cole said. “We have an excellent nucleus of boy’s and girl’s in cross country. Our girl’s track team this past year was district runner up and 30 of our 42 athletes were either sophomores or freshman. I look for their success to continue.”

The decision to leave E.D. White was one of the toughest decisions Cole said he ever had to make. However, the school and the kids he has coached will always have a special place in his heart.

“It has been very emotional leaving our kids,” he said. “It’s like my own kids but we are going to miss them and wish them all the best. I thank everyone at the school and the community for their support.”