"It kind of fell into my lap, you know. I've been getting a lot of blessings here, and he's one of them," Cole said.
"He" is quarterback Bobby Reid. Houston high school football fans remember Bobby leading North Shore to a state title four years ago. He went on to play at Oklahoma State, where he lost his starting job last year.
And after having graduated, he briefly thought about the NFL draft. Then, he thought again.
"I just felt like I wasn't quite ready to make that jump. Some guys are. At this time, I'm not. But after this year of going through what I'm about to go through, I'll be ready," Reid said.
Because Reid will use that final year of eligibility playing quarterback for TSU, which can use his talent and the attention he'll bring.
"Unfortunately, the program was 0-11 last year. Of course, we want to get some W's in the column, and just put TSU on the map," Reid said.
"We're going to put him up under the center some, and put him in the shotgun, and we'll do the things that he can do around the ball," Cole said.
It's obvious that Reid is going to be the center of attention this coming season and much will be expected. But after what he has gone through the past few months, he's used to public scrutiny.
"Come after me! I'm a man! I'm 40! I'm not a kid! Write something about me!" exclaimed Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy. Reid was the player that Gundy was defending last year against what the coach deemed an unfair newspaper column on Reid's intestinal fortitude.
"It was all over YouTube, it was all over the Internet, but it really had nothing to do with me. I'm thankful for everything I've been through up there. It has taught me to become a better man, a better father for my daughter, and just a better football player," Reid said.
Something that his new coach and school are counting on.
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