By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Tommy Cole is back as boys’ golf coach at Williams after a one-year hiatus.
“I enjoy coaching golf,” Cole said. “They needed some help.”
Cole coached the Bulldogs for 40 seasons before retiring following the 2024 season. Since then, he was inducted into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame and had the court at Williams’ gym, where he had been a longtime basketball coach, named in his honor.
Now, he’s back with the Bulldogs at golf venues. Previously under Cole’s watch, Williams golfers won three state team championships and were runners-up seven times.
“It’s like riding a bicycle,” Cole said. “You don’t forget.”
Herb Niparts agreed to coach the Bulldogs for the 2025 season as his grandson completed his high school career.
Cole, a Williams alum, was nudged back to the position for reasons other than his admiration for coaching the golf team.
“My wife, Kathy, was tired of me sitting around,” he said. “She said, ‘You get out of here. Go coach.’ ”
The Bulldogs, who are led by senior Tim Klein, begin the season Monday.
