Ken Cole

Kenneth Frank Cole (15 October 1943 – 15 March 2026) was an Australian professional basketball coach and player. He represented the Australian national team as a player at the 1964 Summer Olympics. Cole was a head coach in the National Basketball League (NBL) for the West Adelaide Bearcats, Adelaide 36ers, Sydney Supersonics and Newcastle Falcons. He won an NBL championship and was selected as the NBL Coach of the Year with the 36ers in 1986.

Playing career Cole competed in the men's tournament at the 1964 Summer Olympics with the Australian national basketball team. He was selected for the Australian team in preparation for the 1968 Summer Olympics but the team lost during the qualifying tournament. The Bearcats merged with the Adelaide 36ers at the end of the 1984 season and Cole was retained as head coach. The 36ers set a 24–2 record during the 1986 season and were nicknamed "The Invincibles." On 18 September, he was reinstated for the 1986 NBL Finals after his players lobbied the committee but was suspended for three matches and told he would not be retained for the following season. Cole led the 36ers to the league championship and was selected as the NBL Coach of the Year.

Cole also coached for the Sydney Supersonics and Newcastle Falcons before he retired from coaching.

Legacy Cole was nicknamed "Old King Cole" and was known for his "vitriolic attacks" on referees.

Cole returned to the 36ers in 2018 when he was appointed as team president. He was inducted into the Adelaide 36ers Hall of Fame in 2021.