Rick Insell has never been one to change who he is—and that authenticity has earned him one of Tennessee sports' highest honors. The legendary former Middle Tennessee State women's basketball coach has been named The Tennessean's 2026 Fred Russell Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, a fitting tribute to a career built on consistency, passion, and an unwavering commitment to the game.

Insell, 74, recalls a defining moment during his job interview for the MTSU position over two decades ago. When then-deputy athletic director Diane Turnham asked if he planned to coach at the college level the same way he did in high school, his answer was characteristically direct. "I'm gonna come in and be Rick Insell," he told her. "I don't know any other way to coach." Turnham's response was simple: "That's what we want."

That approach served him well. After taking the helm in 2005, Insell retired following the 2026 season with 505 wins and 12 NCAA Tournament appearances—both the best marks in MTSU women's basketball history. His 1,279 career victories span a legendary tenure at Shelbyville High School, where he built a powerhouse program before making the leap to college coaching.

The accolades are staggering: membership in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, National High School Hall of Fame, Blue Raider Sports Hall of Fame, and the CUSA Hall of Fame, among others. But for Insell, success has always come down to one principle. "Decide what you want to do and where you want to go, then find those people and get around them," he says. "Most people who give you advice in the coaching field—listen closely. But stay true to yourself."

Insell will be honored at the Middle Tennessee High School Sports Awards show on June 9 at Music City Center—a celebration of a coach who never stopped being exactly who he was meant to be.