Ralph Hatley had eminent careers as both a player and a coach throughout the state of Tennessee. Born in Trenton, Hatley attended Jackson High School before heading to UT, where he was captain of the 1934 Vols and selected All-SEC. When he graduated in 1936, he began his illustrious coaching career, first at UT-Martin, then in East Tennessee in Knox and Polk Counties. Hatley then returned to his native West Tennessee to coach at Dyersburg High and then moved to Christian Brothers High School in Memphis from 1941 through 1946. In 1947 Sonny Humphreys, athletic director at Memphis State and an old Vol teammate of Hatley’s, named him to resurrect the Tigers football program. Hatley’s overall record at MSU was 60-43-5 during his eleven-year tenure. All the more impressive when considering the Tigers played as many as four SEC teams each year. Following the 1957 season, Hatley was named head of Memphis State’s Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department. He also served as president of the Tennessee College Physical Education Association and received honors and awards from the College of Physical Education Association of the United States and the State of Tennessee Health and Physical Education Association. Coach Hatley’s interest in his players was no more apparent than in their ninety-eight percent graduation rate. A fine player and coach, Ralph Hatley served the state of Tennessee for many decades with excellence, pride, and much success.
