BOLIVAR, Mo. – Jim Middleton, head coach for the Lady Bearcat basketball team, has resigned.
Middleton began as head coach of the Lady Bearcats in the 1994-95 season, and holds the highest career winning percentage (239-158, .602) of the eleven coaches in Lady Bearcat basketball history. He led the Lady Bearcats to six NCAA tournament appearances, which included a trip this past season (2007-08) to the South Central Regional as a #5 seed. The Lady Bearcats finished the 2007-08 season at 21-10, with an 11-7 mark in the MIAA. They were 14-1 at home, and advanced to the finals of the MIAA tournament in Kansas City last March.
Middleton was named Coach of the Year for both the MIAA and the South Central Region, which qualified him as one of the eight finalists for the 2008 Russell Athletic / WBCA National Coach of the Year.
“It’s been a fantastic ride,” said Middleton. “We’ve great support and friends here at SBU. There are so many people who have shown support to my family and me, the list would be too long to name everyone. The 14 years we’ve been here, in a profession as volatile as coaching, should be a testament of the great experience we’ve had here. The community has embraced us and this has been a wonderful home. It’s time to move on, and I believe we’ve left things in pretty good shape.”
SBU’s Director of Athletics, Brent Good, commented on Middleton’s resignation.
“I am saddened to lose Coach Jim Middleton as our head women’s basketball coach after 14 years of hard work and dedication. 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.”
SBU’s President, Dr. C. Pat Taylor, also praised Middleton for his SBU career.
“I’m extremely disappointed that we’re losing Coach Middleton. 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. 100% of the girls graduated who 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 6 of his 14 years here at SBU. I will miss him both professionally and personally.”
