Remembering Jim Settle: 1938-2026
Coaches and athletes around South Carolina started to post on social media accounts about the passing of longtime coach Jim Settle on April 14.
His obituary included, "leaving behind a legacy defined by service, leadership and lasting impact."
The family received friends on April 18. A Celebration of life service is April 19 at 2 p.m. until the hour of service at 3 p.m. at Summerville Baptist Church, 417 Central Avenue in Summerville.
Settle, a United States Army Veteran, served as an Officer for six months in 1961. Settle started coaching at T.L. Hanna in Anderson (1961-1965). Baptist College, now Charleston Southern, was selected as founding faculty in 1965. Settle was a professor of Physical Education and Kinesiology and Head Coach of Track and Field at Baptist College.
Settle retired from Charleston Southern in 2004. He then started coaching at Goose Creek and named Region 7-4A Boys Track Coach of the Year in 2008.
Coaching resume
Coached multiple championship teams
Numerous All-Americans
Mentored Olympic silver medalist
Inducted in 1990: Baptist College Athletic Hall of Fame
2001: Charleston Southern University co-names the university's track facility in his honor
2005: inducted into Big South Conference Hall of Fame and named Big South Conference Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year
Here are some memories shared by coaches and athletes
"Great tributes today on FB by Kahlim Denmark and Tom O'Rourke on the passing of Coach Jim Settle. Before I had ever met him (back in the 80's)) he helped find colleges for some of our track athletes, even if they could not go to CSU. I had heard what a great coach and human he was and everyone was right. When we didn't have a track at Stratford, he would let us use his track at CSU. Then, beginning in 2007, began eight years of coaching together, first at Goose Creek and then at Hanahan. I learned a lot from him and the athletes loved him too. He had so much knowledge, but he also knew how to coach people. I will miss talking to him. The picture is Coach, Irv Batten and myself taking in a track meet at USC a few years ago." - David Pratt
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"I posted this picture (top of article) the track season before last when I humbly stood between two track and field legends. The man in the white shirt next to me is Coach Jim Settle. Coach Settle coached Olympians, NCAA Champions and always had the time to help anyone. David Pratt, the coach in the green shirt kept Coach Settle close as he won state championships at Hanahan High School. The track at Charleston Southern University is named for him.
Coach Settle passed away today. A major loss to the track and field community here and throughout the country. Great Coach, but even a greater guy. When he liked you, he was there for you. I am so grateful to have had Coach Settle help me with my coaching. There just are no more Coach Settles." - Tom O'Rourke
Remembering Jim Settle: 1938-2026
Coaches and athletes around South Carolina started to post on social media accounts about the passing of longtime coach Jim Settle on April 14.
His obituary included, "leaving behind a legacy defined by service, leadership and lasting impact."
The family received friends on April 18. A Celebration of life service is April 19 at 2 p.m. until the hour of service at 3 p.m. at Summerville Baptist Church, 417 Central Avenue in Summerville.
Settle, a United States Army Veteran, served as an Officer for six months in 1961. Settle started coaching at T.L. Hanna in Anderson (1961-1965). Baptist College, now Charleston Southern, was selected as founding faculty in 1965. Settle was a professor of Physical Education and Kinesiology and Head Coach of Track and Field at Baptist College.
