Jim Fuller, a former Hall of Fame football coach and athletics director at Jacksonville State, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 76.

Fuller served as the Gamecocks’ head football coach from 1977-83 after serving as an assistant coach at JSU from 1970-73 and again from 1975-76.

He is the fifth-winningest coach in JSU football history, compiling a 54-25 mark in his seven-year career. His 1977 team posted an 11-3 record, won the Gulf South Conference championship, claimed the Grantland Rice Bowl with a 31-7 televised victory over North Dakota State, and played for the NCAA Division II National Championship, finishing runner-up to Lehigh in the Pioneer Bowl.
Fuller coached Gamecock football teams to four GSC championships and made five appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs. Prior to his stint as head coach with the Gamecocks, he took over as offensive coordinator in 1975 under Clarkie Mayfield before being elevated to the head coaching spot in 1977.
He was named the Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year three times and was named the Regional Coach of the Year twice.