The all-time winningest coach in WKU Football history, Jimmy Feix, has been added to the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot as a Divisional Coach Candidate, the National Football Foundation announced Monday.
Ballot Details
The 2025 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame includes:
- 77 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision
- 101 players and 34 coaches from the divisional ranks
The full list of nominees for the 2025 class can be viewed here. The announcement of the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2025, with specific details to be announced in the future.
Jimmy Feix’s Legacy
- Career Record: 106-56-6 (.649)
- Years as Head Coach: 1968-1983
- NCAA Division II Championship Game: Runner-up in 1973 and 1975
Feix is the only football coach in WKU’s history to eclipse the 100-win mark. He led the Hilltoppers to the NCAA Division II championship game twice, achieving runner-up honors both times.
Feix’s involvement with WKU spanned various roles:
- All-American athlete
- Assistant football coach
- Head football coach
- Assistant director of alumni affairs
- Director of alumni affairs
- Director of athletics
Feix served almost continuously from his arrival on campus as a freshman athlete in 1949 until his retirement in 1990. He passed away in October 2014.
Ohio Valley Conference Achievements
- Conference Record: 67-28-2 (70.1%)
- OVC Championships: 1970, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1978, and 1980
Feix’s 1973 team was undefeated in the regular season and finished the year 12-1-0. The Hilltoppers made the playoff field again in 1975, advancing to the title game with an 11-2-0 record.
Honors and Recognitions
- Kodak College Coach-of-the-Year for Division IV: 1973 and 1975
- OVC Coach of the Year: 1973, 1978, and 1980
- WKU Football All-Americans: Coached 16 athletes
The playing field at Houchens Industries – L.T. Smith Stadium was named “Jimmy Feix Field” in his honor in 1991. Feix and another former Topper quarterback and head coach, Willie Taggart, were the first football athletes to have their jerseys retired in ceremonies on Feix Field in 1999.
Hall of Fame Inductions
- WKU Athletic Hall of Fame: Inaugural class of 1991
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hall of Champions: 2007
- Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame: 2004
- WKU’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni: 2003
- Henderson County Sports Hall of Fame: 1988
Feix was also the head coach of WKU’s All-Century Football Team named in the fall of 2018. His legacy continues to be celebrated as he remains a significant figure in WKU’s rich athletic history.
