AUBURN, Ala. – Taja Cole, a former standout point guard at Georgia and Virginia Tech, will join coach Larry Vickers’ staff as assistant coach for player development, it was announced today.
Cole enters the college coaching world after spending her post-collegiate career playing in various professional leagues, most recently the LNBPF in Mexico and Athletes Unlimited. She also coached high school basketball at S3 Academy in Virginia.
“Coach Cole was the kind of player every team dreamed of – disciplined and always willing to put the team first,” Vickers said. “That same drive and leadership carried over into her professional career. While playing professionally she has become a successful high school and AAU coach, where she continues to shape young women with the same passion and purpose. I have been watching her closely for years, and I know she is going to do great things on the collegiate level.”
Cole played four seasons in Athletes Unlimited, averaging 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 23.3 minutes per game. She also signed WNBA training camp contracts with the Connecticut Sun and Atlanta Dream.
“I’m incredibly humbled to join the Auburn family,” Cole said. “This opportunity was very thought-out before I said yes. I’m truly ready to pour everything I have into helping our players grow – not just as athletes, but as people. LV and Auburn Athletics could hire a lot of talented coaches, I’m sure, but I believe what I bring can’t be bought – my heart, my experience, and a deep belief in building confidence, togetherness and team culture. I take pride in being someone you can trust and who can elevate those around me. I’m excited to do just that here at Auburn.”
Her final collegiate season at Virginia Tech, she was an ACC All-Defensive Team selection after starting all 30 games for the Hokies and leading the ACC with 194 assists. She averaged 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds that season.
In two seasons at Georgia, she started every game and led the SEC in assists with 202 during the 2018-19 season, the third-most in a single season in Georgia history. She played her freshman season at Louisville.
Cole graduated from Georgia in 2019 and earned her master’s degree from Virginia Tech in 2021.