'Fame' keeps growing for Cannon County native Rick Insell

While his success as a basketball coach took place in other Middle Tennessee locations, Rick Insell says his passion and love for the game began in his native community of Cannon County.

"It all started at Woodbury Grammar School and with W.T. Todd," Insell said. "I was introduced to the game of basketball during one of my lower grades ... I think I was in the second or third grade ... and I went home and was explaining all this to my mom and dad and at that point dad found out there was a high school basketball game that Friday night at the old gym up there and he took the family and I can still remember sitting up there on the front row.

"From then on basketball was a part of my life. I don't think we ever missed a Tuesday or Friday night game. That was the in thing to do in Cannon County when the girls and boys basketball teams were playing. You'd see just about everybody in the county at that gym."

This has been a summer of fame for the Lady Raider coach, who was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in June, and will be enshrined into the Blue Raider Hall of Fame in September.

Insell, who has coached 1,319 games at the high school and college levels, winning 1,074 of them, first at Shelbyville Central High School and now at Middle Tennessee, said being recognized for his achievements never crossed his mind when he first become involved in basketball.

"Well you really don't ever think about it (being elected to halls of fame)," Insell said. "When I first got into coaching it was in Cannon County in junior pro and then on to West Side and did it ever cross my mind that I would be going into a hall of fame? Absolutely not. But I think it is just a culmination of going out there and really just taking care of your passion."

Insell also credits his success to spending his entire career doing something he enjoys.

"You know my passion was basketball and my family and I was able to blend the two of them together and we just went to work and had some success and now because of that success and the places that I came from and the places that I've been to, I've been very fortunate that I've been in three communities, Cannon County, Bedford County and now Rutherford County, that all have a passion for the game of women's basketball," Insell said. "There are not many people who are blessed to have that and I've been blessed."

Insell played basketball and graduated from Woodbury Central High School, but said his interest in the game began in grammar school.

"Through that period of time you had a number of very successful girls basketball teams. Robert A, Harris was the coach. He became a good friend of mine, became a mentor. I played under Jay Cole there. Jay Cole is really one of the people who taught me the game of basketball but more than anything motivated me to go to another level. Maybe not playing-wise, because I was not a real good player, but coaching-wise.

"I've been very blessed to have those people in my life and I really don't know if a lot of people remember this but I think the ones who are still around do, but I started the Junior Pro basketball program in Cannon County, Of course I had some help, Dale Bush, my brother Bobby, Eddie Morris. There was a lot of people who was involved in that ... we are the ones who got together and got that going and I think it's still going today."

Many people have helped Insell achieve his coaching success, including several from Cannon County.

"When you have had the success I've had you haven't done it by yourself. The people who worked with me when I was young and just learning the game, the people who helped me establish a foundation, were very important to me,"

Even though he has enjoyed a long and successful career, Insell said he is not entertaining thoughts of retiring anytime soon.

"Basketball's just been part of my life. It's been something I wanted to do. A lot of people don't get to work their passion and I do. I don't have a job ... every day I get to to go do something that I love to do. A lot of people say when are you going to retire? I don't know when I'll retire because I get up every morning and I'm excited about going to my office and I'm excited about doing something that right now is helping to build the brand of the Lady Raider basketball program.

Insell appreciates the strong fan base the Lady Raiders have in Cannon County,

"I think a lot of that has to do with (former Lionettes star) Abbey Sissom playing for us. She was a successful player at Cannon County. A lot of the people that come out not only get to see us play, but they get to see her play, And I've got a lot of friends that come from Cannon County. We very thankful for all the support we get."

Cannon County fans of the Lady Raiders will probably see Insell on the sidelines at Murphy Center for many years to come.

"I would have to say I love coaching today as much, probably more, than ever," he said. "Each morning I look forward to seeing the student-athletes and just seeing them improve and realize their potential in the classroom, in the community and on the court. I am still highly motivated by working with young people and hoping to help them prepare a great future for themselves.

"I also love when former player come back and they bring their babies or introduce you to their family. It is very rewarding, and I am very blessed."