2008 Woodie Awards
Middleton resigns as coach
Takes same position at Nixa High School
Erik Johnson
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Sports
Collegiate head coaches do not usually stay in one place for too long. Either they do well and move up the ladder or do poorly and are forced out. This week, Southwest Baptist Women's Basketball Head Coach Jim Middleton resigned from his post at SBU after 14 seasons for another job.
Losing the second longest tenured head coach at SBU was not easy for the SBU administration.
"I'm extremely disappointed that we're losing coach Middleton," said President Dr. C. Pat Taylor. "He has made a tremendous impact on Southwest Baptist University. I will cherish the times I've spent with him, working both as a coach and Director of Athletics. One hundred percent of the girls who graduated played for Coach Middleton for four years. I've appreciated that Coach Middleton has always had a competitive program, going to the NCAA tournament during six of his 14 years here at SBU. I will miss him both professionally and personally."
Middleton has the highest winning percentage of any women's basketball coach in SBU history (.602) and has led the Bearcats to six NCAA tournament appearances. The Bearcats made great strides this year, claiming second in the MIAA tournament and earning a bid to the national tournament for the first time since 2001 with only two seniors on the team. Because of his work with this year's team, Middleton earned MIAA Coach of the Year honors along with being named the NCAA Division-II South Central Region Coach of the Year.
From the athletic department's point of view, SBU loses one if it's winningest coaches along with a person who has helped many players throughout his career.
"I am saddened to lose Coach Jim Middleton as our head women's basketball coach after 14 years of hard work and dedication," said Athletic Director Brent Good. "Coach Middleton has made a tremendous impact on the lives of the young people in his program and a tremendous impact on Southwest Baptist University and in the Bolivar community. Through his leadership, the SBU Lady Bearcats have accomplished conference, regional and national NCAA Division II recognition. Under his guidance, the Lady Bearcats have excelled both on the court and in the classroom. Coach Middleton emphasized the importance of education and graduation to his student-athletes. I appreciate everything Coach Middleton has done for our program. He will be greatly missed, and I personally wish him the best in future endeavors."
Losing the second longest tenured head coach at SBU was not easy for the SBU administration.
"I'm extremely disappointed that we're losing coach Middleton," said President Dr. C. Pat Taylor. "He has made a tremendous impact on Southwest Baptist University. I will cherish the times I've spent with him, working both as a coach and Director of Athletics. One hundred percent of the girls who graduated played for Coach Middleton for four years. I've appreciated that Coach Middleton has always had a competitive program, going to the NCAA tournament during six of his 14 years here at SBU. I will miss him both professionally and personally."
Middleton has the highest winning percentage of any women's basketball coach in SBU history (.602) and has led the Bearcats to six NCAA tournament appearances. The Bearcats made great strides this year, claiming second in the MIAA tournament and earning a bid to the national tournament for the first time since 2001 with only two seniors on the team. Because of his work with this year's team, Middleton earned MIAA Coach of the Year honors along with being named the NCAA Division-II South Central Region Coach of the Year.
From the athletic department's point of view, SBU loses one if it's winningest coaches along with a person who has helped many players throughout his career.
"I am saddened to lose Coach Jim Middleton as our head women's basketball coach after 14 years of hard work and dedication," said Athletic Director Brent Good. "Coach Middleton has made a tremendous impact on the lives of the young people in his program and a tremendous impact on Southwest Baptist University and in the Bolivar community. Through his leadership, the SBU Lady Bearcats have accomplished conference, regional and national NCAA Division II recognition. Under his guidance, the Lady Bearcats have excelled both on the court and in the classroom. Coach Middleton emphasized the importance of education and graduation to his student-athletes. I appreciate everything Coach Middleton has done for our program. He will be greatly missed, and I personally wish him the best in future endeavors."
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