WKU's Legendary Jimmy Feix On CFB Hall of Fame Ballot

© Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

On June 3, 2024, the National Football Foundation named Jimmy Feix to the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. Feix is Western Kentucky’s all-time winningest football coach.

The ballot for the 2025 Class of College Football Hall of Fame includes 77 players and nine coaches from the FBS level, and 101 players and 34 coaches from the divisional ranks. 

Feix was on the ballot five times previously.

A Hall of Fame-Worthy Coaching Career

Feix is the only football coach in school history to break the century mark in wins. He was head coach of WKU from 1968 to 1983. During those 16 years, he posted a record of 106-56-6 (a 64.88 win percentage). In 1973 and 1975, he was at the helm for WKU appearances in NCAA Division II championship games. The Hilltoppers' combined record in those two years was an impressive 23-3. They finished both years as national runners-up, and in both years, Feix was named Divisional Coach of the Year.

© Frank Empson / The Tennessean via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Feix’s teams competed in the Ohio Valley Conference and won 70 percent of their conference games, posting a 67-28-2 record. Under Feix, WKU dominated the OVC in the 1970s and won or shared six OVC championships in 1970, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1978 and 1980. In addition, Feix was named OVC Coach of the Year three times, in 1973, 1978 and 1980. During his 16-year coaching career, Feix coached 16 All-Americans.

All-American

Before serving as head football coach, Feix was an All-American quarterback at WKU. He led the Hilltoppers to a 9-1 record and the OVC title during his senior year in 1952. He passed for 1,925 yards and 20 touchdowns, completing 61 percent of his passes. That season, Feix earned All-American honors, the first WKU player to do so.

In 1953, Feix signed with the NFL’s New York Giants, but he suffered an injury in the preseason that ended his dream of playing pro football.

Jimmy Feix's Legacy

Over the years, Feix wore many hats for his beloved WKU, from assistant football coach to athletic director and other athletic posts, before retiring in 1990. He spent a total of 27 years on the WKU coaching staff.

Feix passed away in October 2014.

The football field at Houchens Industries—L.T. Smith Stadium bears Feix's name. He is one of only two WKU players to have his jersey retired. The other was former Hilltopper quarterback Willie Taggart.

Accolades earned during Feix's distinguished career include:

·       Inaugural Class of WKU Athletic Hall of Fame—1991.

·       WKU's All-Century Football Team—2018.

·       Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hall of Champions—2007.

·       Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame—2004.

·       WKU's Hall of Distinguished Alumni—2003.

The 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted on December 9, 2025, in Las Vegas.