Former Irmo basketball coach Tim Whipple continues to add accolades, despite retiring from his position courtside one year ago. 

Whipple, the second-winningest coach in South Carolina history, was recently selected to be inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

“ I'm deeply honored and humbled,” Whipple said. “ That's just unbelievable. That is like you just pinch yourself because you have to be at the right place at the right time, have the right people around you, and then have support and have people that believe in you and are willing to go to bat for you.” 

The National High School Athletic Coaches Association is the oldest coaches’ association in the country. It has honored coaches from across the nation with induction into the Hall of Fame since 1996.

This year’s ceremony for the class of 2025 will be held in Rapid City, South Dakota, on June 24, 2025.

The South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association initially nominated Whipple for Hall of Fame consideration. The selection was based on longevity, service to high school athletics, career honors and other specific state criteria.

Whipple was one of 39 coaches representing over 20 states to be selected for induction. 

The long-time Irmo coach spent 43 years courtside, winning 848 games and six state titles. His career began and ended in Lexington County as he started as an assistant at Lexington High School. 

Whipple said the Hall of Fame honor allowed him to reflect on his career and remember all the people involved.

“ I think that's what's so wonderful about it for me, is the memories,” he said. “When I am able to be recognized for a career, those memories come out, and it really makes me feel so grateful.”

One of Whipple’s favorite memories of his career came not that long ago. Of his six championships, the 2023 one shocked him the most. 

While he knew his team was good, Whipple did not expect them to come together like they did and play so well off of each other. 

“The whole was so much better than the parts, and I was just so proud of them,” Whipple said. “ I was able to pretty much end my career on one of the highlights of my career.” 

Since retiring, Whipple has not gone too far from the team. He has a great relationship with current head coach Alex Quillen. 

Quillen is a former player of Whipple’s and won state championships as a player in 2011 and 2013, and as an assistant coach in 2023. 

Whipple still frequently attends Irmo practices and games. He and Quillen can often be found in the head coach's office talking about many things. 

“ I'll sit in the office, my old office, and I'm sitting there from a different seat. It's kind of fun,” he said. 

Whipple said the Irmo succession plan had been in place before his retirement, allowing him to help Quillen get ready for the job before officially taking over. 

In his first season as coach, Quillen’s Yellow Jackets finished 16-10 and an even 5-5 in region games. Whipple said he was pleased with the team’s results and noted it was a sign things are heading in the right direction. 

“ He had a young team and did as good as they possibly could. The future is certainly very bright for them,” Whipple said. 

While Whipple is still around the team, he has no regrets about leaving basketball coaching behind. 

“It is just so much nicer sitting there watching,” Whipple said. “ The hardest thing when you retire is not being around the people anymore. The job you can get by without that.”

The people Whipple worked with throughout his career drove Irmo’s success, he said. The players, coaches, parents and administration put their faith in him, and he gave his right back.

Without them, there would be no Hall of Fame honor. 

“Irmo High School is so very special to me, and it’s just been one incredible journey,” Whipple said. 

Whipple may not be calling the shots on the court anymore, but he did find a way to return to coaching. 

He made it through the football season, but when Irmo needed a boys golf coach, he stepped up and took the role. And even though the responsibility was a bit more than he expected, Whipple is still considering coming back another year. 

“ I really haven't had a chance to retire, I guess,” he said. “ I think chances look pretty good that I may do it again next year.”