Faith: finding answers in the heart.
 
A mantra that guided legendary men's basketball coach Tony Ingle and it's what everyone he's ever touched along his journey needs now after learning of his passing Monday night.
 
"I loved Tony and he is going to be sorely missed," said former Director of Athletics Dr. Dave Waples. "You just can't put into words when you lose someone with his impact. He was such an integral part of KSU and basketball in the state of Georgia. It's a monumental loss and someone we are going to miss greatly."
 
One of Georgia and Kennesaw State's premier head coaches, Ingle leaves behind a lasting legacy both on and off the court.
 
Originally from Dalton, Ga., he was the lone son of six children of Bobbie and Claude Ingle. Ingle graduated from North Whitfield High School in 1971 where he starred as a four-year player on the varsity basketball team. 
 
He began his collegiate career at Dalton Junior College helping the Roadrunners win back-to-back state and regional titles his freshman and sophomore seasons. After a season-ending injury during the national championship tournament his sophomore season, a fire was lit in Ingle. He finished his college career at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala., where he also began coaching, leading 10-under and 14-under teams.
 
Upon graduating, he went on to coach at high schools Northwest Whitfield, Southeast High School and Cherokee High School, leading Cherokee to a Class AAA Championship in 1981-82.
 
In 1985 he began his collegiate coaching career by reintroducing the basketball program at Gordon College, compiling a 61-32 record over his three seasons. He led the Hilltoppers to the state playoffs all three years, reaching the NJCAA Region XVII championship game his final season. From there he moved on to the University of Alabama-Huntsville for one season before stepping into the big leagues as an assistant to Roger Reid at BYU.
 
Ingle coached at BYU for eight seasons, helping the Cougars reach five NCAA Tournaments while garnering three WAC regular season titles and two tournament championships. In the midst of his final season with the Cougars, Ingle was handed the head coaching reins before being let go at the end of the year.
 
But he was undeterred. "You keep going and you keep battling. If the dream is big enough, the obstacles will be small enough to overcome," said Ingle.
 
And after three years removed from coaching, he received the call up from Kennesaw State and Director of Athletics Dr. Waples.
 
"When he arrived, he said he was going to win a National Championship for us in five years and I'll be darned he won it in four years.," said Dr. Waples. "That run was absolutely amazing. He was one of a kind. He was driven, a great person to be around and has a wonderful family. I can't stress enough how much we are going to miss him."
 
Ingle took over a middling Division II KSU squad in 2000 and hit the ground running, recording 20 wins and a runner-up finish in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament in his second season. The following year, he added another 20-plus win season, another runner-up finish and KSU's first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Finally, in his fourth year he led the Owls to a 35-4 record, a perfect conference season and a DII NCAA National Championship, Georgia's only NCAA national championship at any level.
 
Ingle led the Owls for 11 seasons, helping KSU transition to Division I in 2005-06 before stepping down in 2011. He remains the winningest coach in KSU history with 178 wins, while earning 2004 NCAA DII Coach of the Year honors.
 
After leaving KSU, Ingle returned to his hometown of Dalton and became the first head men's basketball coach for Dalton State. Ingle compiled a 134-33 record in his five seasons with the Roadrunners, including a 2015 NAIA National Championship title.
 
He is the only coach in Georgia history to be named Coach of the Year at the high school, junior college and collegiate levels. After 44 years of coaching, numerous awards and accolades, two national championships and countless lives touched and mentored, Ingle retired in 2018.
 
Since 2017, Ingle took a leadership position as a bishop at the Dalton Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although retired from coaching, he continued to take an active role as a leader from the podium of his church as well as a public speaker.
 
He is survived by his wife Jeanne, his four sons, including KSU men's basketball alums Golden and Israel Ingle, his daughter and 10 grandchildren.
 
Longtime KSU softball head coach Scott Whitlock…
"Coach Ingle was a bigger than life personality that loved his family and loved the game of basketball. Family was always first with Tony and he leaves a legacy that will be felt for generations to come."
 
KSU baseball head coach Mike Sansing…
"When Tony was here, we had some great times and I always enjoyed talking with him and hearing his stories. I really valued his friendship that continued over the years even after he left Kennesaw. My heart goes out to his family going through this difficult time and we will keep them all in my prayers."
 
Former KSU men's basketball player Terrence Hill…
"Coach Ingle is and will forever be a legend. He was a God-fearing man who was loved by many. Coach Ingle taught me how to be a better man, husband, son and mentor. I love you more than you love me ol' man."

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