James W. "Jim" Whatley was born March 11, 1913, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. At the University of Alabama he eared 10 varsity letters in 4 sports. He played tackle on the 1934 Rose Bowl team and was voted All SEC in 1935. In 1934 and 1935 he was an All SEC basketball center. He played pro football for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1936, 1937 and 1938 before starting a career in coaching. From 1939-1941 he was the head coach in football, basketball and baseball for West Carolina University. After coaching stops at the U.S. Naval Station, San Diego, California, and the University of Mississippi, he went to the University of Georgia in 1950. He was assistant football coach for 11 years, head basketball coach for 2 years, and the head baseball coach for 24 years. Jim Whatley presently resides in Athens, Georgia. He passed away in 2001.