From MTSU Athletics

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Rick Insell, the winningest coach in Middle Tennessee State University basketball history, announced Thursday, March 19, that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. His son and current associate head coach, Matt Insell, will take over the program, continuing the Blue Raiders’ tradition of excellence.

A press conference to formally introduce Matt Insell as the eighth head coach in Middle Tennessee women’s basketball history will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, at the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame.

“Coach Insell’s extraordinary success on the court is matched only by the relationships he has built and the lives he has influenced along the way,” said President Sidney A. McPhee. “On a personal level, I am grateful to call Rick a longtime friend and, on behalf of the university, I thank him for his remarkable contributions and enduring legacy.”

In 21 seasons at his alma mater, Insell has led Middle Tennessee to 505 victories, making him the all-time winningest coach in program history, men’s or women’s. His Blue Raiders have made 21 consecutive postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA Tournament bids, seven WNIT appearances and one WBIT berth.

His teams have won 10 conference regular-season championships (six in the Sun Belt, four in Conference USA), 10 conference tournament titles (five in the Sun Belt, five in Conference USA) and reached the conference championship game 13 times. Insell has coached seven All-Americans, five conference players of the year and produced five WNBA Draft picks.

“Rick Insell’s impact on our women’s basketball program and our university is truly extraordinary,” said Director of Athletics Chris Massaro. “When we hired Rick, we knew we were bringing in one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in the game, but what he has built here has exceeded even those high expectations. His passion for the game, his commitment to developing young women on and off the court, graduating his student-athletes at a high level, and the championship culture he established have defined our program for nearly two decades.

“Rick’s legacy is measured not only in wins, championships, and national recognition, but also in the countless lives he has influenced through his leadership. He will forever be a part of the fabric of Middle Tennessee athletics, and we are incredibly grateful for everything he has given to this university.”

Before his time at Middle Tennessee, Insell compiled a 775-148 record over 28 seasons at Shelbyville Central High School, winning 10 TSSAA Class AAA state championships—including consecutive titles multiple times—and earning four national coach of the year honors. He is the only coach in NCAA history to produce three consecutive NCAA scoring champions and the only coach in history to win over 500 games at both the NCAA Division I level and in high school. His career includes more than 1,279 wins thus far.

Insell’s Hall of Fame honors include induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2017), the Naismith Hall of Fame Morgan Wootten Award for Lifetime Achievement in High School Girls Basketball (2010), the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (2012), and the Conference USA Hall of Fame (Class of 2025), among others.

Find the full story, including a statement from Coach Insell, at goblueraiders.com.