Middle Tennessee State University is grieving the loss of Jim Toman, a former baseball coach who passed away at the age of 64 after a two‑year battle with brain cancer.
Toman guided the Blue Raiders from 2018 through the 2022 season, a period marked by incremental progress and a final record of 29‑26 that stood as the program’s best finish since 2015.
A career built on steady growth
During his time at the helm, the team posted a cumulative 78‑102 record, yet each season brought a modest uptick in player development, culminating in five athletes earning all‑conference honors.
His earlier stops at College of Charleston and Liberty University helped shape his coaching philosophy, with a Big South Coach of the Year award in 2014 reflecting his impact at Liberty.
In August 2022, Toman stepped down following a driving‑under‑the‑influence charge, bringing a close to his five‑year tenure at MTSU.
Toman’s diagnosis came in 2025, and despite treatment, the disease progressed, leading to his passing in the following year.
Beyond the win‑loss column, his legacy lives on in the players he mentored and the culture he helped foster within the program.