Ohio Valley Conference

TTU Sports Information

Jim Ragland

Jim Ragland, a two-time Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year and member of the Tennessee Tech University Sports Hall of Fame, lost his battle with a rare disease and passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 65.

An All-OVC quarterback during his playing career, Ragland served as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator, then spent 10 seasons as head coach of the Golden Eagles from 1986 to 1995.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Willow Avenue Church of Christ in Cookeville.

Ragland retired September 11, 2000 after a 39-year association with Tennessee Tech athletics as a student-athlete, coach and administrator.

"Jim Ragland left behind a legacy that began as an all-conference quarterback and included many highlights and accomplishments," said Mark Wilson, TTU Director of Athletics.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim's family, and with the Tennessee Tech football family. Jim meant a great deal to the entire university. He was not only an outstanding coach and teacher to his players, he was also a friend of theirs."

Following a successful career at Putnam County Senior High School, Ragland began his collegiate career at the University of Mississippi in 1959 but returned to play in his hometown after one season.

A three-year letterwinner as a Golden Eagle quarterback, Ragland set several school records while handling the Tech offense from 1961 to 1963. He still ranks as one of the top quarterbacks in the Tech record books, ranking in career total offense and career passing. His senior year was capped off by earning all-OVC honors in 1963. Ragland graduated from Tennessee Tech in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in physical education.

Following his playing days, he began his coaching career in 1965 at West Virginia University under head coach Jim Carlen. When Carlen moved to Texas Tech, Ragland followed. In 1973, Ragland accepted the post of offensive coordinator at the University of Tampa, and in 1975 he took a similar position at Memphis State University when Tampa dropped its football program.

In 1979 he left the coaching profession and returned to his alma mater as executive director of the Tennessee Tech Athletic Foundation, working in promotions and fund-raising. In 1980, he initiated the Golden Eagle Scramble, a highly successful summer golfing tournament held in Cookeville which has grown into the largest annual tournament in the mid-state area. He also created the Golden Eagle Bass Tournament, a popular event for fishermen that helps raise funds for the Tech football program. Both events are still held annually.

Ragland took a position on Tech's coaching staff during the 1984 and 1985 seasons, serving as recruiting coordinator in 1984 and offensive coordinator in 1985 under Gary Darnell. Upon Darnell's resignation in November, 1985, Ragland was named the eighth head coach to lead the Tennessee Tech football program and just the second Tech graduate to return to lead their alma mater. He served as head coach of the Golden Eagles through the 1995 season.

"Jim was the one who brought me back to Cookeville 20 years ago, and I'm thankful to him for that opportunity," said current Tech football coach Mike Hennigan, who was an assistant on Ragland's staff.

"Working with Jim was a great opportunity. You always learn from coaches you work under, and there are things Jim did that I relate to and try to do today. For instance, he was always willing to allow the coaches' families to be around the team and the players, to come into our offices, and to feel like a part of the program.

"He brought a lot of unity to the university and the community because he was from Cookeville." Hennigan said. "I felt comfortable coming back to work at Tech because I knew the community was going to show support for coach Ragland and his program.

"Jim was also a real ?player's coach' and the players felt comfortable talking with him," Hennigan said.

Ragland earned various honors during his time at the helm, including Tennessee Sports Writers Association's Coach of the Year following the 1992 season in which he led Tech to its best record in 15 years. He was also named Kodak I-AA Region 3 Coach of the Year and was a finalist for I-AA National Coach of the Year. His teams were ranked in the I-AA Top 25 in 1992 and 1993.

Other honors include being named the Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year two consecutive years (1992 and 1993). During his 26-year coaching career, he coached 12 all-Americans and 30 players who made it to the professional ranks. Ragland was a part of eight major bowl games, including the 1969 Peach Bowl with 10th ranked West Virginia, and the 1970 and 1972 Sun Bowls with Texas Tech.

In 1981, his playing talent, hard work and popularity at the University and in the community helped him get elected to the Golden Eagle Sports Hall of Fame.

"Jim was a unique member of the Tech athletic family in that he was involved at every level, as a player, a coach and an administrator," said Dr. David Larimore, former Director of Athletics.

"He demonstrated a high level of commitment and desire to succeed each step of the way. I saw that leadership and dedication during his 12 years as a coach and also in the projects that he coordinated, such as the annual fishing tournament," Larimore said.

Ragland was born November 12, 1940.