“I wanted to stay loyal,†Cole said. “That’s what I was taught at a young age, and that’s just what I felt was right. When I committed to the University of Iowa, I committed to more than just a coach. I committed to more than just a couple of guys. I committed to a community. I committed to a state. I committed to fans who don’t have the right to see Iowa basketball, but they’ve invested. So I wanted to show that I invested. I can’t offer any more than that.â€
“In the perfect scenario you would have four years where nobody leaves, where the players stay, where the coach that you committed to stays,†Cole said. “You go through it and you battle together and you win or lose together as a team. I think if that would have happened, this whole four years would have been completely different.
“We lost a great point guard in Tony Freeman my first year here. He was a junior. You guys know about his upside; he’s a great basketball player and he even played great that junior year and he decided to transfer. My sophomore year we had Jake Kelly and Jeff Peterson, Jermain Davis came along, David Palmer, all those guys (leave). I feel like if we would have had that squad stay … there were a lot of things that could have added to what we could have done here. It’s a shame that those go out the window.â€
“Survivor would be a good way to put it,†Cole said. “It’s been rough, it’s been tough. It hasn’t been ideal and things like that. But it’s been mine. I’m proud to say that.â€
Classy, classy stuff. You can't help but love this guy.
A full CHA needs to give him a long, loud standing ovation next week.
