Jim Whatley

James William Whatley

• Bats Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 220 lb.
• School University of Alabama
• High School Benjamin Russell High School

• Born March 11, 1913 in Tuscaloosa, AL USA
• Died May 31, 2001 in Athens, GA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Jim Whaltey was a minor league first baseman and a college coach.

Whatley attended the University of Alabama and is still regarded by many as the Crimson Tide's greatest all-around athlete after earning 10 varsity letters in football, baseball, basketball, and track. He was a member of Alabama's 1934 national championship football team and played on six SEC title teams (one basketball, two football, three baseball). He was an All-SEC tackle in 1934 and All-SEC basketball center in 1935 and '36 and was a standout first baseman as well.

After graduating, he played two seasons in the minor leagues as well as three seasons in the National Football League. He hit .239/?/.330 in 52 games for the 1937 Jackson Senators and .302/?/.465 in 23 games for the Opelousas Indians. With Opelousas in '38, he batted .287/.370/.426 in 74 games.

In 1950, he became head baseball coach at the University of Georgia. After a one-year hiatus, he took over the head coaching position at Georgia in 1952 and held it until 1975. In that time he amassed a record of 336-327-3.

Related Sites

• UGA's announcement
• Pro Football Reference page