While attending the University of Cincinnati, Cole played for the Cincinnati Bearcats football team. He initially played nose tackle for the Bearcats. He was a two-time first-team All-Conference USA selection. Cole finished his career with 238 tackles, 19 sacks, 48 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles, and two recovered fumbles. He started every game at weakside defensive end in 2004, totaling 68 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 22 tackles for a loss. Also registered a safety and two blocked kicks. In 2002, he started nine games at defensive tackle before moving to defensive end and posted 86 tackles, five sacks, and 12 tackles for a loss, en route to Conference USA defensive newcomer of the year honors.
Professional career
Pre-draft
Philadelphia Eagles
2005
Cole was selected in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles with the draft pick acquired from the Washington Redskins for wide receiverJames Thrash. He signed a 4-year contract before his rookie season. Cole worked hard during training camp and his general athletic ability impressed many fans and people within the organization. He used this to forge a promising year, taking over the starting job at right defensive end in week 10. Cole tallied 5 sacks on the year, which was impressive considering he only started 3 games in the year. He added 26 tackles during his time as a starter to bring his total for the year to 38.
2006
With 5 sacks in his first 4 games, he was thought to start at the right end position, but with the signing of Darren Howard, Cole would only play on pass downs during the 2006 season. But this changed in week 2, two weeks after star left end Jevon Kearse went out with a fractured tibia, the Eagles announced that Cole would start for Kearse. Since then, Cole has had 1.5 sacks, 26 tackles, 18 of them solo tackles, helping the Philadelphia Eagles carry themselves to 5 straight wins and an NFC East title. Cole was First-team All-Rookie team honors by NFL.com, Pro Football Weekly after the season. Cole signed a five-year contract extension on November 6, 2006 worth $26–28 million with a $12 million guarantee, which could keep him with the Eagles until 2013. On December 17, 2006, against the New York Giants, Cole recorded the first interception and touchdown of his career. This interception gave the Eagles a 14-point lead with under 3 minutes left. The touchdown by Cole sealed the Eagles win 36-22. He ended the season with a career-high 8 sacks. Also led the defensive line with a career-high 84 tackles and his interception.
2007
Cole recorded 12.5 sacks in the 2007 season which broke his personal single-season record. He was the first defensive end since Clyde Simmons in 1986 to make the Pro Bowl as an Eagles draft pick. Cole is already 15th in team history in sacks. As impressive are his tackling numbers, his 70 tackles also put him first among all defensive ends in the NFC. On January 24, 2008 it was announced that he would be replacing Patrick Kerney in the 2008 Pro Bowl. during the Eagles' 24-16 victory on November 17, 2013.
2008−2012
In 2008 Cole led the team in hurries, and TFLs, was 2nd in sacks, and 3rd with 3 FFs while making 98 tackles. He was named to the USA Today 2008 All-Joe Team for the 3rd consecutive season, which honors the NFL players whose work does not necessarily garner headlines, but is integral to the success of their football team. In Week 15 of the 2009 NFL Season, Cole was disqualified with 8 seconds remaining in a game against the New York Giants for throwing punches at Giants' offensive linemanShaun O'Hara. Both Cole and O'Hara were fined $15,000 by the NFL. Cole was selected to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a reserve. In Week 1 of the 2011 NFL season, against the St. Louis Rams, Cole had 3 tackles and 1 sack. Over the season, Cole had 44 tackles, 1 force fumble and 11 sacks. Cole signed a four-year contract extension with the Eagles worth up to $55.25 million on March 14, 2012, extending his contract through the 2017 season. Cole's season was below par for him, as he only recorded 3 sacks and 40 combined tackles, an all-time low in each category.
2013−2014
Under new coach Chip Kelly, who used a base 3-4 formation instead of Reid's 4-3 defense, Cole transitioned from right defensive end to right outside linebacker. Cole's performance improved and he became one of the team's most dominant defenders. Cole led the team in sacks and forced fumbles, while also recording 56 combined tackles, 3 pass deflections, and his first career safety. He added 5 tackles, 1 pass deflection, and 1 sack in a 26-24 postseason loss against the New Orleans Saints. This season was followed by another productive year, with 52 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 15 games, although the Eagles missed the playoffs that year. Cole was released by the Eagles on March 4, 2015. He left Philadelphia with the second most sacks in team history, with 85.5 to Reggie White's 124.
Indianapolis Colts
2015
On March 10, 2015, Cole signed a 2-year, $16 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Cole played and started all 14 games he played in; however, he was criticized for a lack of production, most notably a career low 32 tackles and an inability to get to the quarterback. Cole began to increase his production towards the end of the season, gaining 3 sacks and a forced fumble in his final 5 games.
2016
Cole restructured his deal on March 8, 2016. On September 27, 2016, he was placed on injured reserve with a back injury. He was activated to the active roster off injured reserve on December 1, 2016.
Retirement
On December 22, 2017, Cole announced that he would retire as an Eagle, and was made an honorary captain for the team's game against the Oakland Raiders on Christmas Day.
Career statistics
Regular season
Postseason
Personal life
Due to his off season hobby of hunting game, Cole has been nicknamed "The Hunter." He is the cousin of basketball player Norris Cole.
