Murray State University Athletics
Murray State Athletics Mourns the Passing of Hall of Famer Elvis Green
6/19/2026 12:44:00 PM | General, Rifle
Green led rifle program to NCAA National Championships in 1985 and 1987
Murray State Athletics is saddened to learn of the passing of Racer Hall of Famer and former head coach of the rifle program, Elvis Green.
Green, who coached the team from 1981-1999, helped the Racers win the NCAA National Championship in 1985 and 1987 and led them to national runner-up finishes in 1986 and 1988.
"On behalf of Murray State University, we extend our thoughts and prayers to the Green family as they cope with this difficult loss," University President Dr. Ron Patterson said. "Elvis is forever engrained in the history of our institution, and he made a lasting impact on all of those that he coached."
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Fame head rifle coach Elvis Green," Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. "Coach Green dedicated his life to Murray State and built one of the most respected rifle programs in the nation through his passion, leadership and unwavering commitment to the Racers. His legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of Murray State Athletics, and his influence will continue to be felt for years to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Green family, his former student-athletes and all who had the privilege of knowing him, during this difficult time."
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Green's teams qualified for the NCAA Championships in 18 consecutive years and he coached five individual air rifle national champions and an individual smallbore national champion. Green mentored five Olympians, including 1984 Gold Medalist Pat Spurgin, 49 First Team All-Americans, 49 Second Team All-Americans and 14 Honorable Mention All-Americans.
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"Coach Green was an amazing coach and he will be deeply missed," head coach Alan Lollar said. "Although he built this program from the start, the number of lives he touched is his real legacy. He brought out the best in people by setting an example that those around him aspired to. His influence ripples through all of us."
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He was named OVC Coach of the Year three times (1994, 1995, 1999) and NCAA Coach of the Year in 1997. Additionally, he received the National Rifle Association (NRA) Shooting Sports Service Award (1986) and the NRA Distinguished College Coach award (1999). He was inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame in 2004.
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Green was a 26-year veteran of the United States Army and retired as Sergeant-Major, earning numerous military awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star (with oak leaf cluster and V device), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with 1st oak leaf cluster), Good Conduct Medal eight award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze star and Vietnamese Staff honor medal second class.
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He arrived at Murray State in 1978 and worked in the ROTC program before taking over the rifle program.
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Green, who coached the team from 1981-1999, helped the Racers win the NCAA National Championship in 1985 and 1987 and led them to national runner-up finishes in 1986 and 1988.
"On behalf of Murray State University, we extend our thoughts and prayers to the Green family as they cope with this difficult loss," University President Dr. Ron Patterson said. "Elvis is forever engrained in the history of our institution, and he made a lasting impact on all of those that he coached."
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Fame head rifle coach Elvis Green," Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. "Coach Green dedicated his life to Murray State and built one of the most respected rifle programs in the nation through his passion, leadership and unwavering commitment to the Racers. His legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of Murray State Athletics, and his influence will continue to be felt for years to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Green family, his former student-athletes and all who had the privilege of knowing him, during this difficult time."
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Green's teams qualified for the NCAA Championships in 18 consecutive years and he coached five individual air rifle national champions and an individual smallbore national champion. Green mentored five Olympians, including 1984 Gold Medalist Pat Spurgin, 49 First Team All-Americans, 49 Second Team All-Americans and 14 Honorable Mention All-Americans.
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"Coach Green was an amazing coach and he will be deeply missed," head coach Alan Lollar said. "Although he built this program from the start, the number of lives he touched is his real legacy. He brought out the best in people by setting an example that those around him aspired to. His influence ripples through all of us."
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He was named OVC Coach of the Year three times (1994, 1995, 1999) and NCAA Coach of the Year in 1997. Additionally, he received the National Rifle Association (NRA) Shooting Sports Service Award (1986) and the NRA Distinguished College Coach award (1999). He was inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame in 2004.
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Green was a 26-year veteran of the United States Army and retired as Sergeant-Major, earning numerous military awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star (with oak leaf cluster and V device), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with 1st oak leaf cluster), Good Conduct Medal eight award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze star and Vietnamese Staff honor medal second class.
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He arrived at Murray State in 1978 and worked in the ROTC program before taking over the rifle program.
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