You Won't Believe What Rhodes College Coach Mike Clary Did to Earn a Spot in the 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame!

Mike Clary, a prominent figure in collegiate sports, has been selected for the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026. This recognition, sponsored by the Tennessee Lottery, honors individuals who have left a significant mark on the history of sports in Tennessee.

“There is no one more deserving for induction into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame than Mike Clary,” stated Jim Duncan, the Director of Athletics at Rhodes College. “Since entering the college as a first-year student in 1973, Mike Clary has defined Southwestern at Memphis and Rhodes Athletics. The mark he has made on thousands of Lynx student-athletes cannot be measured. To many, Coach Clary IS Lynx Athletics.”

A former student-athlete himself, Clary graduated from Rhodes in 1977 and has dedicated 44 years to the college in various roles as a coach and administrator. He holds the record for being the longest-tenured athletics staff member in the institution's history. Serving as the head football coach from 1984 to 1996, Clary led the Lynx to national prominence in the late 1980s, establishing himself as the winningest coach in the program's history.

Beyond football, Clary's coaching prowess extended into men's track and field and swimming and diving. He also made remarkable strides with the Rhodes women’s golf program, leading the team to three NCAA Division III National Championships in 2014, 2016, and 2017—the first national titles in the college’s history.

In addition to his coaching roles, Clary served as the director of athletics from 1990 to 2016, during which Rhodes College expanded its athletic offerings significantly. Under his stewardship, the college consistently ranked among the top NCAA Division III programs nationally, not only for competitive excellence but also for academic achievement. His contributions were recognized when he was inducted into the Rhodes College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.

Brad Willis, the executive director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, commented on Clary's impact: “Mike Clary’s career is one of the most remarkable stories of dedication and service in Tennessee college athletics. For more than four decades at Rhodes College, Mike shaped generations of student-athletes as a coach, administrator, and mentor. His influence reaches far beyond the field of play, and we are proud to welcome him into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026.”

The 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by the Tennessee Titans, is set to take place this summer, marking a significant milestone in the careers of those who have profoundly shaped Tennessee sports.