Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Hall of Fame
Earle, Jimmy
Jimmy Earle
- Induction:
- 1980
- Class:
- 1958
Jimmy Earle took MT basketball to the next level in the 1970s and also put his mark on its baseball team in the 1960s. His 164-103 basketball record included four Ohio Valley Conference championships, two trips to NCAA tournaments and eight winning seasons. In 1968, as head baseball coach, his team won the OVC championship. He is the only MT coach to win Coach of the Year in two sports. From 1982-86, he also was head golf coach and was assistant athletic director in the 1980s.
Coach Earle’s teams won 34 consecutive games at Murphy Center from Dec. 11, 1973 to Jan. 7, 1976, a record that still stands. The Blue Raiders posted a 76 percent winning clip at Murphy Center under Earle, going 108-35. Earle coached in a total of 267 games and won 164, ranking second all-time amongst MTSU men’s basketball coaches in both categories. His 72 conference victories are second all-time at MTSU.
His 1977-78 squad was one of the best defensive teams nationally. The squad won the OVC and defeated Ole Miss in Oxford during the preseason. That team finished fifth nationally for team defense.
Coach Earle is also a member of the OVC Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, among others.
As sports chairman for the Partners of the Americas in 1978, he helped promote athletic competition in South America. In 1980, he worked with the Central Basketball Officiating Service Agency supervising officials in the Atlantic Coast and now defunct Southwest conferences.
Named an MT Distinguished Alumnus in 1979, he was recipient of the Tennessee Community College Achievement Award in 1984.
Coach Earle’s teams won 34 consecutive games at Murphy Center from Dec. 11, 1973 to Jan. 7, 1976, a record that still stands. The Blue Raiders posted a 76 percent winning clip at Murphy Center under Earle, going 108-35. Earle coached in a total of 267 games and won 164, ranking second all-time amongst MTSU men’s basketball coaches in both categories. His 72 conference victories are second all-time at MTSU.
His 1977-78 squad was one of the best defensive teams nationally. The squad won the OVC and defeated Ole Miss in Oxford during the preseason. That team finished fifth nationally for team defense.
Coach Earle is also a member of the OVC Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, among others.
As sports chairman for the Partners of the Americas in 1978, he helped promote athletic competition in South America. In 1980, he worked with the Central Basketball Officiating Service Agency supervising officials in the Atlantic Coast and now defunct Southwest conferences.
Named an MT Distinguished Alumnus in 1979, he was recipient of the Tennessee Community College Achievement Award in 1984.
Derek Mason LIVE: Presented by The Boulevard Bar & Grille Week 3
Wednesday, September 10
MTSU Tennis Pro-Am 9/6/25
Tuesday, September 09
MTSU Tennis Pro-Am Recap
Tuesday, September 09
MTSU Volleyball Recap 9/5/25-9/7/25
Tuesday, September 09
