Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Insell named to Conference USA Hall of Fame Class of 2025
7/9/2025 10:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Middle Tennessee women's basketball Head Coach Rick Insell set to enter his ninth Hall of Fame
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee women's basketball Head Coach Rick Insell was named to the Conference USA Hall of Fame Class of 2025, the league office announced on Wednesday.
Insell becomes the third Blue Raider to be inducted into the CUSA Hall of Fame, which inducted its first class in 2019. He joins former Middle Tennessee football standout and NFL All-Pro safety Kevin Byard and legendary MTSU Track and Field Coach Dean A. Hayes, who both entered the Hall of Fame in 2024.
"Rick Insell has set the standard for excellence in women's basketball, not just at Middle Tennessee, but across Conference USA," Director of Athletics Chris Massaro said. "His accomplishments speak volumes — the championships, the wins, the national recognition — but it's his passion, integrity and relentless commitment to his student-athletes that truly define his legacy. We are incredibly proud to see him take his rightful place in the Conference USA Hall of Fame."
"Rick Insell is the embodiment of excellence, not only in wins and championships, but in how he has represented Middle Tennessee with class, passion and purpose," said MTSU President Dr. Sidney A. McPhee. "His impact on women's basketball is felt across the nation, and his induction into the Conference USA Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of a coach who has elevated our university, inspired generations of student-athletes, and built a program that reflects the very best of who we are."
In 20 seasons at the helm, Coach Insell has guided the Blue Raiders to a 489-165 record, including a 295-54 mark in CUSA play. Since joining the league in 2013-14, Insell has won four regular-season titles and nine tournament championships. A two-time CUSA Coach of the Year, he has coached three CUSA Female Athletes of the Year, a trio of CUSA Players of the Year, four Freshman of the Year, a pair of Defensive Players of the Year, two Sixth Players of the Year and 46 All-CUSA selections.
The Conference USA Hall of Fame is the ninth hall of fame Insell will be inducted into, joining the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Fame (2003), National High School Hall of Fame (2007), Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame's Morgan Wootten Award for Lifetime Achievement for High School Girls Basketball (2010), Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (2012), Cannon County Sports Hall of Fame (2013), Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2017), Blue Raiders Sports Hall of Fame (2017) and the Basketball Coaches Association of Tennessee Hall of Fame (2021).
The league's Hall of Fame Committee selects the nominees and the league's Athletics Directors serve as the voting panel for the CUSA Hall of Fame. The inaugural class made its debut in 2019 with 20 student-athletes, three coaches and two administrators. Current and future CUSA Hall of Fame class size will be at least one inductee and a maximum of five per year. Nominees not selected in this class will remain on the ballot for future years.
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