Bill McClain's career, marked by dedication and excellence, led to his well-deserved induction into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2001. His journey began as a teacher and coach in 1955, dedicating 18 years to nurturing young athletes. McClain started at Ramer High School, where he coached boys’ and girls’ basketball, and baseball from 1955 to 1957. He then moved to Treadwell High School, where he significantly impacted the boys' basketball team from 1957 to 1973, achieving a remarkable record of 523 wins to 123 losses. Here, his teams made seven TSSAA State Tournament appearances, secured third place in the state in both 1961 and 1964, and were state runners-up in 1966. McClain also coached golf, baseball, football, and track & field at Treadwell, with his team winning the TSSAA 3200 Meter Relay State Championship in 1965.

Transitioning from coaching, McClain served as an assistant principal at Treadwell High School from 1973 to 1977, and at Raleigh-Egypt High School from 1977 to 1978. He then became the principal of Raleigh-Egypt Junior High School and Raleigh-Egypt High School, where he continued to influence the lives of students until 1994. Beyond administrative roles, McClain’s connection to the TSSAA extended to his own participation in sports; he was a basketball player for the Selmer High School team that was the TSSAA State Tournament runner-up in 1951 and later played for Memphis State University.

McClain also contributed as a TSSAA official for 13 years, showcasing his dedication to high school sports both on and off the field. This multifaceted involvement in different capacities emphasizes Bill McClain’s significant and varied contributions to high school athletics in Tennessee, making his induction into the TSSAA Hall of Fame a tribute to his service and dedication to TSSAA.

TSSAA Hall of Fame
Class: 2001
Category: Administrator