He served as the head football coach at Memphis State University from 1947 to 1957, compiling a record of 60–43–5 in 11 seasons.
[1] He starred as a player at Jackson High School before heading to Knoxville, Tennessee to play for legendary coach Robert Neyland.
[1] He was a teammate of Cecil Humphreys, who would later serve as athletics director at Memphis State who hired Hatley as head football coach.
[2] In 1949, Memphis State finished 9–2 and set a then-school record with 21,000 in attendance to watch the team play Ole Miss.
[7] After retiring from coaching, Hatley was named chair of Memphis State's health, recreation and fitness department.