Mike Clary built one of the most successful athletic legacies in the nation during his long and distinguished career at Rhodes College. For over four decades, he was dedicated to the institution as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator. Clary established a tradition of excellence that placed Rhodes among the premier NCAA Division III programs in the country.
Clary’s coaching journey began shortly after his graduation in 1977. He eventually served as head coach for several Lynx programs, including football, track and field, and swimming and diving. As head football coach from 1984 to 1996, he became the all-time winningest coach in program history. In the late 1980s, he led the Lynx to a top-ten national winning percentage and multiple conference championships. This period cemented Rhodes’ reputation as a powerhouse in Southern collegiate football.
However, Clary’s most historic coaching achievements came on the green. As head coach of the women’s golf program, he led the Lynx to three NCAA Division III National Championships in 2014, 2016, and 2017. These victories included the first-ever national team title in Rhodes College history. Clary earned the WGCA National Coach of the Year award for his excellence in golf. His work solidified his status as one of the most versatile coaches in the state.
Beyond his time on the sidelines, Clary served as Rhodes Director of Athletics for 26 years, from 1990 to 2016. During his tenure, he tripled the number of student-athletes on campus and oversaw a major expansion of athletic facilities and offerings. He was widely respected for his commitment to the student-athlete balance. Clary consistently led the conference in the number of athletes named to the Academic Honor Roll.