MIMS, Billy

Billy MIMS}

Contact Information

Head Coach
Athletics
Charles & Ruth Clemente, 212
Phone: 7511
Email: bmims@fit.edu

Web & Social Networking

Athletics

Visit My Website

Keywords

Basketball
Hoop
Court

Head Coach
Athletics

Personal Overview

Mims graduated Valedictorian from Berkeley High School (Moncks Corner, S.C.) in 1978 and is a 1981 Magna Cum Laude graduate of The Baptist College at Charleston (S.C.).

In addition to his lengthy coaching background, Mims has spoken and coached at countless clinics and has been extremely active in various community service projects like his "Read to Succeed" program in London and his highly popular "Slam Dunk Smoking" program run in England, Texas, and now Florida as well. In the UK, Mims hosted his own radio show, "1 on 1" for BBC Radio and still serves as a regular analyst for NBA games on "Sky Sports TV" for European audiences. Mims and his wife Lynne have three children, Courtney, Callie, and Joshua. They reside in Viera.

Educational Background

Bachelor's Degree The Baptist College at Charleston 1981

Professional Experience

Billy Mims, a 26-year veteran of the NCAA and European professional coaching ranks, is at the helm for the Panther Basketball team. Mims holds a nine year collegiate career record of 105-151 and an eleven year professional career record of 317-238.

Mims came to Florida Tech after one season at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB). During his one season at UTPB, Mims set the school record for wins, compiling more wins in one season than the Falcons combined to achieve in the program’s first two years of existence. While there, he produced one NAIA National Player of the Week, Rashad Pride; one NAIA All-American and 1st Team All-Red River Athletic Conference player, Marlo Saunders; and one NAIA Academic All-American, Travis Levie. Mims helped both Marlo Saunders, and his brother Marcus, launch professional careers in London, England, following their graduations from UTPB.

Mims is no stranger to the highly competitive Sunshine State Conference. He spent six seasons as the head coach of Barry University from 1988–1994. During his tenure in Miami, Barry was ranked as high as 7th in the NCAA South Region. He was the first coach to guide Barry to the SSC Tournament Championship Game. In 1993, Mims produced Barry’s first-ever Basketball Times 1st Team All American, Anthel Hicks. He also coached two All-South Region players, six All-Conference players, two All-Tournament players, six All-Conference Freshmen and one All-SSC Freshman of the Year, Bobby Latham in 1991.

Following his tenure at Barry, Mims spent 10 years in the British professional ranks, serving as head coach and director of player personnel for two different clubs, the London Leopards and the Leicester Riders. In the U.K., Mims captured three national championships in 1997, 1998 and 2001 and was named league coach of the year twice in 1998 by the BBL and 2001 by "The Sun," England's largest daily newspaper. Mims guided both of his English clubs to National Cup Championships as well, London in 1997 and Leicester in 2001. He was also voted by BBL fans to coach in the prestigious BBL All-Star game on two occasions. As an assistant coach for the England National Team, Mims scouted many of their European opponents.

Mims' first-ever head coaching job also took place on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean with Neptune Basketball Club in Cork, Ireland. He led the club to the 1987 Irish National League Championship. Following that successful league campaign, he guided Neptune to the 1987 National Top Four Championship, the first time achieving the prestigious post-season title in their club's history.

Prior to his stint at Barry, Mims spent considerable time as an assistant and associate head coach at four different colleges—College of Charleston (S.C.), Lander College (S.C.), Winthrop College (S.C.) and Chowan College (N.C.).

Selected Publications

Best Thing About Being a Coach at Florida Tech:
The People! We have a great group of coaches here with one common goal in mind - the success of our student/athletes!

Biggest Rival:
For me it's probably Barry since I used to coach there, but for our students and fans it has to be Rollins since they are so close to us!

Favorite Sports Team:
I grew up an Atlanta Braves baseball fan and pulled for the South Carolina Gamecocks on the college front.

Top Reason Student-Athletes should chose Florida Tech:
To get a great education from a quality private university that stands for excellence in academics and athletics.