Hall of Fame
Dr. Jim Poteet has been impacting small college Christian higher education for over six decades at a variety of NCCAA Institutions. Poteet’s dedication to sharing the love of Christ through the sport of men’s basketball still runs strong today at his seventh institution Kansas Christian College, where he currently serves as the Vice President of Athletics and Head Men’s Basketball Coach.
From a young age Poteet has had a passion for education and athletics, spending 1959-1971 to earn three degrees. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Pasadena College in 1963, a master’s degree in physical education and athletic administration from California State University in 1966, and a doctorate in athletic administration from the University of Southern California in 1971. As his career grew, Poteet never lost his desire to continue learning while teaching, going back to earn a second doctorate in Applied Educational Studies/Sports Management from Oklahoma State University in 1999.
Poteet’s introduction to the NCCAA came immediately after graduating with his master’s, earning his first men’s basketball head coaching job at Biola College (now Biola University) in 1968. After building Biola’s program from the ground up, Poteet moved on to another NCCAA institution in Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) where he earned two NCCAA National Championships in 1974 and 1977 and was named NCCAA National Coach of the Year in 1974 and 1975. As Poteet’s success in the NCCAA grew, so did the leadership responsibilities he took on, serving as an NCCAA Region Chair, leading countless mission trips with NCCAA student-athletes, and representing the NCCAA on a multitude of small college basketball committees.
After eight years of incredible success at Southern Nazarene University, Poteet took his love for basketball into the mission field where he was a coach for Athletes in Action from 1979-1980. Poteet then shifted his focus more toward athletic administration over the next 25 years of his career, still serving as an assistant men’s basketball coach throughout his journey. With no plans to retire, Poteet returned to his NCCAA roots in 2017 where he still serves today at Kansas Christian College.
Throughout Poteet’s journey, discipling all nations has been the desire of his heart over the last six decades. Former colleague Dr. Reggies Wenyika stated, “[Poteet’s] work in sports evangelism and as an ambassador for Christ has taken him across five continents. His deep moral character and commitment to his faith are demonstrated on and off the court. Dr. Poteet and his wife, Peggy, received the Church of the Nazarene’s Distinguished Service Award in 2013, the highest honor for laypeople in the denomination, which speaks volumes about his moral standing and devotion to the Lord.”
Dr. Ronn Johnson, a former player and assistant coach of Poteet’s added, “The scale of success in my personal and professional life directly stems from the Christ-inspired motivation promulgated by Dr. Poteet. Through Christ, Dr. Poteet has provided life-altering solutions for countless people worldwide. Christ relies on us to shed His light in dark places, an objective consistent with ‘Coach.’”
Poteet’s dedication to teaching and discipleship has grown into a passion for writing late in his life, authoring two books titled “The Big Green Machine” and “Nobel Experiment.” Poteet is currently writing his third book, titled “FastBreak – From Long Pants to the Big Dance.”
The NCCAA is honored to induct Dr. Jim Poteet into the Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2025.