A Standard of Class and Excellence: Saying Thank You to Rick Insell
For two decades, Rick Insell didn’t just win games at Middle Tennessee—he built a family, a standard, and a legacy that will outlive the scoreboard.
Middle Tennessee women’s basketball coach Rick Insell is retiring at the end of the season. The university announced today, that this will be his final year on the sideline.
The good news? The program stays in the family. His son, Matt Insell, will take over as head coach—ensuring that the standard, the culture, and the identity of Lady Raider basketball remain intact. This is honestly very important to me as a fan and alumnus.
Handing the job off to a family member isn’t always appropriate when a coach retires, but trust me, this is the right thing to do for this program.
Make no mistake—having Matt Insell as head coach is fabulous news for Blue Raider fans.
Because the name Insell isn’t just associated with the program. It is the program.
There will be time later to talk about the future—about what Matt Insell can become, about where this program can go next. He’s already proven himself, including a stint as head coach at Ole Miss, and has been a vital architect behind the scenes in Murfreesboro.
But today isn’t about the future.
Today is about saying thank you.
As a Middle Tennessee alum, I can’t overstate what Rick Insell has meant to this university. The consistency. The pride. The expectation of excellence. Year after year, his teams didn’t just compete—they delivered. They made me so proud to be a Blue Raider.
Since taking over in 2005, Insell has turned Middle Tennessee into a national power in women’s basketball:
Multiple 25+ win seasons
Dozens of conference titles (regular season and tournament)
Consistent NCAA Tournament appearances
And signature wins that put the program on the map
None bigger than the unforgettable upset of Louisville Cardinals women’s basketball in the 2009 NCAA Tournament—a moment that announced to the country that Middle Tennessee wasn’t just happy to be there. I cried at the end of that one. What a special moment for a special university that means so much to me.
They were there to win.
But to understand Rick Insell, you have to go back even further—to Shelbyville.
Before Murfreesboro, Insell built a dynasty at Shelbyville Central High School, winning multiple state championships and establishing one of the most respected girls basketball programs in the country. His influence there was so profound that when he arrived at MTSU, it felt like the entire town followed him.
And in many ways, they did.
Early in his tenure, Murphy Center didn’t just host games—it hosted a community. It always felt like Shelbyville had made the short drive, packing the stands, bringing that same pride, that same identity, that same belief.
That’s not normal.
That’s culture.
Sure, Insell is a great coach, but culture is what separates him from others. Building cultures made him special.
And it’s no coincidence that Insell was closely connected to legends like Pat Summitt.
You could feel her influence in the way his teams played. Tough. Disciplined. Connected. Respectful of the game.
I’ll never forget interviewing him when he first got the job, back on a student TV show. He spoke about Summitt—not just as a coach, but as a person. Her kindness. Her standard. Her expectations.
You could tell he carried that with him.
And in his own way, he paid it forward.
Because here’s the truth:
Rick Insell didn’t just build winning teams. He built people.
From stars like Alysha Clark—who went on to WNBA success—to leaders like Chelsea Lymon, Savannah Wheeler, Courtney Whitson, and Anastasiia Boldyreva, his players always represented more than just basketball.
They spoke well. They carried themselves with class. They played for each other. They endeared themselves in the community in rare ways for young people.
They felt like family.
And as a fan, that mattered.
It always felt like you weren’t just watching a team—you were connected to it. Like these players weren’t just athletes, but part of the campus, part of the community… part of us.
That’s why Rick Insell is a legend.
Not just because of the wins. Though there were plenty.
Not just because of the banners. Though they hang proudly.
But because of how he did it.
With integrity. With consistency. With care. With culture.
Based on results alone, his résumé stacks up with anyone in the sport—and yes, it’s fair to say he deserves his 2017 induction in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as much as anyone. He should be in every sports Hall of Fame, honestly.
But that’s not why I’m writing this.
I’m writing this to say thank you.
Thank you for making Middle Tennessee matter.
Thank you for giving us a program we could be proud of.
Thank you for showing what it looks like when winning and character go hand in hand.
And most of all…
Thank you for making it feel like family.
Very nice !
Very cool.
Maybe you’ve said this on the show before, but how’d you wind up at Middle in the first place?