SBU women's hoops coach Jim Middleton More possible awards for a college basketball coach in Bolivar.  Southwest Baptist University’s Jim Middleton is a finalist for the 2008 WBCA National Coach of the Year.

Middleton led the Lady Bearcats to a 21-10 record during the 2007-08 season. The Lady Bearcats, were ranked #8 in the MIAA pre-season coaches poll, but finished 3 rd in the MIAA with an 11-7 conference record. The Lady ‘Cats were MIAA Tournament finalists, and were a #5 seed in the South Central Region,

Middleton was named Coach of the Year both the MIAA and the South Central Region. He will join the other seven regional finalists on Monday, April 7, 2008 in Tampa, Florida at the WCBA National Convention for the selection of the National Coach of the Year award