Jimmy Burchett, Legendary Franklin High Soccer Coach, Dies

FRANKLIN, TN — Jimmy Burchett, long-time coach of the Franklin High School Lady Rebels soccer team and a legend in Middle Tennessee soccer circles, died Sunday. During his 18 years at the helm of what is one of Tennessee's top high school programs, Mr. Burchett amassed a record of 309-72-34, making him the winningest coach in the history of Lady Rebels soccer.

Mr. Burchett began coaching the soccer team in 1997 and in the next 18 years, his teams went to 12 state tournaments with eight appearances in the finals, winning state titles in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2011. In addition, the 2011 team, which went 24-0-0, finished the year ranked No. 1 nationally and Mr. Burchett was a finalist as national coach of the year

Mr. Burchett coached five players named to All-America teams.

In 2000, he was inducted into the Tennessee State Soccer Association's Hall of Fame, not only for his efforts with preps, but because of his influence on club soccer in the state, as well. Mr. Burchett organized the first girls Olympic Development Program team in the state.

After the Lady Rebels lost in the substate to Clarksville in 2014, Franklin athletic director Toby Ruth said he had to decided to "guide the girls soccer program in a new direction," according to the Williamson Herald, cutting ties with the long-time coach. He was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly thereafter, his successor, Mike Burgoyne told The Tennessean. In 2015, a scholarship for a Franklin soccer player was established in his name.

Arrangements for Mr. Burchett are pending.

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