Terry Cole (2026) - Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame

Terry Cole

Induction:
2026
Class:
1968

A championship player at IU and in the NFL, Terry Cole played for legendary IU Coach John Pont from 1965-67. He led the Hoosiers in rushing as a sophomore in 1965 and was a critical part of a Hall of Fame IU backfield during each of the next two seasons. He's best remembered by IU fans for his final regular-season game in 1967, when he rushed for 157 yards on 15 carries to help IU to a 19-14 win over Purdue and the program's first-ever Rose Bowl appearance as the Big Ten co-champion. Cole's performance against Purdue included a 63-yard touchdown run and another 42-yard burst that set up a crucial score. After completing his collegiate career, Cole was drafted and played in the NFL for six seasons from 1968 to 1973 with the Baltimore Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Miami Dolphins. He finished as the runner-up for the NFL Rookie of the Year award in 1968 and was a member of three Super Bowl teams, including Miami's undefeated Super Bowl champions in 1972. Cole was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1992 and was the recipient of the Clevenger Award in 2005. He passed away in 2005.