Scotty Cole '12 will enter his 8th season as a member of the Alma College Football coaching staff in the Fall of 2025. He serves as the team's Co-Defensive Coordinator while working with the Scots' defensive backs, and also serves as the Special Teams Coordinator.
In 2024, Cole' defense featured five All-MIAA selections, and two all-region honorees. The Scots ranked 25th nationally in 4th down conversion percentage against, 36th in interceptions gained, 47th in red zone defense. He coached Evan Eastman, who was ranked 27th among all DIII defenders in sacks. He also coached Abe Evans to his second straight all-american selection.
2023 saw Alma's defense once again lead all Divisions of NCAA football in total turnovers with 39. Highlights on the year included linebacker Odin Soffredine being named First Team All-American by 2 separate organizations. Another major highlight included holding the offense of #2 Mount Union to 20 points in a playoff upset of the Purple Raiders on the road. The offense included one of Division III's most prolific QBs in Braxton Plunk, and future NFL wide receiver Wayne Ruby.Â
Cole's 2022 defense finished 2nd in Division III with 38 takeaways in just 12 games.
In 2021, Cole co-coordinated a Defense that led all Divisions of College Football in takeaways with 40, which was also a school record.
He joined the staff at Alma College after spending one season (2017) at Manchester University (IN), where he was responsible for the defensive backs and mentored an All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference honoree.
Prior to arriving in Manchester, Cole served as a defensive backs coach/defensive pass game coordinator at fellow Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference institution Rose-Hulman from February 2015-June 2017. While in that slot, he mentored three all-region and eight all-HCAC honorees as well as helping lead a Fightin’ Engineers’ defense that topped the conference in fewest points allowed, pass efficiency defense, sacks, fewest first downs surrendered, fewest opposing fourth downs converted and best in the red zone a year ago among many accolades.
Cole also served on the staff at NCAA Division II power Grand Valley State University from July 2013 – February 2015 as a defensive graduate assistant and video coordinator and was a coach at Ithaca High School in 2012.
On the field, Cole starred for the Scots during his collegiate career, earning two All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association honors and was a team Most Valuable Player accolade.
Cole earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education from Alma College in December 2012 and Master’s degree in educational leadership from Grand Canyon University of Arizona in February 2015.
Scotty currently resides in Alma with his wife Lacey, and daughter Laken
