Major Motion Picture to be Made About Local Coach

Those are the inspiring words from Dalton State’s head basketball coach Tony Ingle as he addressed a crowd in Chattanooga Tuesday.

Ingle brought the Roadrunners back from the dead and, in the second year of their program, led the team to a national championship.

Now, a Hollywood producer is in town to begin making a film based on the coach’s incredible life story.

"I can’t imagine a movie being as exciting as his real life is or as Coach Ingle actually is but it will be fun to see," said Pam Partain who is director of communications at Dalton State.

Born with facial deformities, abused by his father, and literally so poor he had to dig in the trash for shoes, Ingle’s story is one of perseverance.

"When you get knocked down, you get back up," Ingle said.

Ingle played basketball through high school and brought his junior college team to two state championships.

His coaching career is long and storied but included a stint as Brigham Young’s head coach.

He famously led the Kennesaw State Owls to an NCAA Division 2 national championship.

But Coach Ingle is MOST renown for reviving a long dead basketball program at Dalton State and leading them to a national championship in their second year.

His passion is infectious and along with a deep faith in God, he credits his unwavering drive for his success.

"Like I said, I’m going to win a national championship or die," Ingle said. "There was no in between. But I was never going to hook or crook or lie or cheat anyone. I was going to do it the right way. And because of my trials, my tribulations, my stick-to-itiveness, that’s why we won the national championship."

And in a tongue in cheek moment, the coach shares who he thinks will play his part in the film.

"My wife is hoping it’s Brad Pitt and then she can call me and say honey, don’t come home so quick," Ingle laughed. "Me and Brad just sat down to sip on lemonade."