Former football coach James "Boots" Donnelly, who played at MTSU from 1962-64, took over as the Blue Raiders head coach in 1979 when the program was at rock bottom.
His first two seasons at the helm were particularly rough as MTSU went 3-17. However, the Blue Raiders turned the corner and recorded 12 straight winning seasons.
During his 20 years at MTSU, Donnelly posted a 133-80-1 record. His teams won five Ohio Valley Conference titles and went to the playoffs seven times. He also won a championship at Austin Peay.
Donnelly is a member of the MTSU football Hall of Fame, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.