Dorsey Sims, born on July 7, 1932, etched a remarkable career in high school basketball coaching, achieving widespread acclaim before his death on June 13, 2000. His coaching career spanned from 1958 to 1986 across several Tennessee schools, culminating in a distinguished legacy that warranted his induction into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 1992.

Sims embarked on his coaching journey at McReynolds High School in South Pittsburgh, TN, between 1958 and 1960, where his basketball team amassed a record of 22 wins against 18 losses. Moving on to Slater High School in Bristol from 1960 to 1965, he led the basketball team to a notable record of 106-21. His success continued at Riverside High School in Chattanooga (1965-1971), where he not only achieved a 153-30 record but also secured two TSSAA State Championships and an impressive 66 consecutive game wins between 1968 and 1970.

His coaching exploits took him to City High School in Chattanooga (1971-1974) and finally Melrose High School in Memphis (1974-1986), where he won another two TSSAA State Championships and accumulated 323 wins. By the time he concluded his high school coaching career, Sims had amassed an outstanding overall record of 654 wins against 200 losses across five schools.

Post-high school coaching, Sims served as an assistant basketball coach at Memphis State University for a decade (1986-1996), further showcasing his commitment to the sport. His achievements were recognized by numerous awards, including the District 4 Coach of the Year and the National Basketball Coaches Association Coaches Award. Notably, state legislatures honored him, and various halls of fame included him among their esteemed inductees. His contributions to TSSAA and his lasting impact on high school basketball in Tennessee are commemorated through the Dorsey Sims Award at the Lorenzen Wright City of Memphis Basketball Camp annually. Despite never having played organized basketball himself, Sims’ legacy as a teacher and coach of the game remains remarkable.

TSSAA Hall of Fame
Class: 1992
Category: Coach