When Dalton State re-launched athletics in 2012, they brought a familiar name on board to run the basketball program - Tony Ingle.
Since his arrival on Aug. 2, 2012, in four short years, Dalton State has become a nationally known name in the basketball circles. It has collected 106 wins through the end of the 16-17 season, two SSAC regular season titles, one SSAC tournament championship, and the 2015 NAIA National Championship.
The 106 wins are best in the state of Georgia among four-year institutions in that time span.
|
Wins By 4-Year Institutions In Georgia
|
|
Rank
|
School
|
13-14
|
14-15
|
15-16
|
16-17
|
Total
|
|
1
|
Dalton State
|
26
|
32
|
19
|
29
|
106
|
|
2
|
Emmanuel College
|
33
|
21
|
27
|
20
|
101
|
|
3
|
Augusta University
|
24
|
23
|
18
|
24
|
89
|
|
4
|
Georgia State University
|
25
|
25
|
16
|
20
|
86
|
|
5
|
Mercer University
|
27
|
19
|
19
|
15
|
80
|
|
6
|
Emory University
|
19
|
22
|
20
|
19
|
80
|
|
7
|
University of Georgia
|
20
|
21
|
20
|
19
|
80
|
|
8
|
Life University
|
19
|
16
|
17
|
26
|
78
|
|
9
|
Columbus State
|
14
|
22
|
21
|
20
|
77
|
|
10
|
LaGrange College
|
18
|
17
|
20
|
18
|
73
|
|
11
|
West Georgia
|
18
|
22
|
22
|
10
|
72
|
|
12
|
Georgia Tech
|
16
|
12
|
21
|
21
|
70
|
|
13
|
Georgia Southern
|
15
|
22
|
14
|
18
|
69
|
|
14
|
Valdosta State
|
16
|
10
|
17
|
26
|
69
|
|
15
|
Reinhardt University
|
14
|
14
|
17
|
22
|
67
|
|
28
|
Middle Georgia State
|
7
|
11
|
16
|
15
|
49
|
|
30
|
Brewton-Parker College
|
9
|
15
|
7
|
15
|
46
|
|
34
|
College of Coastal Georgia
|
12
|
4
|
11
|
10
|
37
|
|
37
|
Kennesaw State University
|
6
|
10
|
11
|
4
|
31
|
"When it was brought to my attention I could not truly believe it at first, but as I looked at the chart it became more real to me," said coach Ingle."
The Roadrunners have also set the standard in the Southern States Athletic Conference since joining in 2014, while holding their own on the national level.
|
Wins By SSAC Schools Since 14-15
|
|
Rank
|
School
|
14-15
|
15-16
|
16-17
|
Total
|
|
1
|
Dalton State
|
32
|
19
|
29
|
80
|
|
2
|
Martin Methodist (Tenn.)
|
30
|
18
|
22
|
70
|
|
3
|
William Carey (Miss.)
|
20
|
21
|
24
|
65
|
|
4
|
Bethel (Tenn.)
|
23
|
18
|
18
|
59
|
|
5
|
Faulkner (Ala.)
|
21
|
20
|
17
|
58
|
|
6
|
Loyola (La.)
|
14
|
17
|
22
|
53
|
"We already have so much to be grateful for and now we can add another feather in our hat to help us recruit," said Ingle.
"All of our Roadrunner players, coaches, supporters, and fans should be very proud of earning such an amazing accomplishment."
Coach Ingle recently added another accomplishment that fans and supporters of Roadrunner Nation can be proud of. On November 30, 2017, the man who was told, "maybe you're not cut out for it" continued to prove doubters wrong and collected win number 300 in his career.
"Only the innocent or ignorant think they achieved success on their merits, I'm just proud that I was taught to keep going during the tough times and better days are ahead," said Ingle of the accomplishment. "This is one of those better days and I'm humbled by the recognition."
Currently, the Roadrunners are the #6-ranked team in the country and boast a 7-2 record on the season.