Three legendary coaches join Hall of Fame


Thursday, May 24, 2007
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Three legendary coaches join Hall of Fame

Three sports legends, representing Northwest Mississippi Community College, were inducted as charter members into the newly-established Mississippi Community/Junior College Sports Hall of Fame (SHF).

Bobby Franklin and Donny Castle of Senatobia, and Jim Miles of Maben, were among the 45 inductees at the ceremony held April 24 at Copiah-Lincoln’s Wesson campus.

Franklin, who retired as Northwest’s Head Football Coach in 2005, is one of the nation’s most successful community college coaches. He led the Rangers to NJCAA National Championships in 1982 and 1992 and to the runner-up spot in 1991.

In his 24 years as a Ranger coach, he garnered six MACJC state titles, six Region 23 championships and 12 north division titles. He led his team to eight bowl games and motivated 71 All-Americans. His coaching record stands at 202-56-6.

Head baseball coach for Northwest from 1975 to 1997, Miles served as the college’s athletic director until his official retirement in 2001. Under his leadership, Northwest made two appearances in the Division II College World Series, including a runner-up finish in 1996. They claimed seven state championships, four region titles and two district crowns.

Miles owns a career coaching record of 556-304, which ranks him among the all-time leaders in the NJCAA.Castle, Northwest’s current athletic director and former head baseball coach, joined the Northwest staff in 1979. Castle ended his baseball career at Northwest by coaching in 1,177 games.

As head coach, he posted an eight-year record of 271-120-4, which included four north division championships and one MACJC state crown. As an assistant for 19 years with Jim Miles, he helped the Rangers post a 506-276 mark.

“These former coaches represent the tradition of excellence we have had over the years at Northwest,” said Northwest President Dr. Gary Lee Spears. “I congratulate them for being honored with such a prestigious group of fellow inductees.”

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