Jim Wells Named SEC Coach of the Year
5/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- University of Alabama Alabama head coach Jim Wells has been named the 2002 Southeastern Conference “Coach of the Year”, in a vote by the league’s 12 head coaches.
The eight-year Alabama skipper is a two-time Coach of the Year honoree, winning the award after leading the Crimson Tide to a share of the 1996 SEC Championship.
“This is certainly the most gratifying season,” Wells said. “This a result of a lot good players and good assistant coaches all working towards the same goal. Our players and coaches have worked hard all season long.”
After a 32-24 record (15-15 SEC, 8th place) last year, Alabama was picked to finish fourth in the 2002 SEC Western Division race by most preseason publications. The Bossier City, La., native guided his troops to a remarkable 44-12 record and the school’s 10th SEC Western Division championship. Alabama was second overall in the SEC race, boasting a 20-10 league worksheet. Wells led Alabama to a school-record tying 44 regular season wins. The 2002 Crimson Tide squad is only the fourth in school history to win 20 SEC games.
The 2002 season marks the 14th time an Alabama coach has been honored as SEC Coach of the Year by his peers. Wells is one of five UA coaches to earn SEC “Coach of the Year” honors.
Wells also joins Tilden “Happy” Campbell as the only UA coach to earn SEC “Coach of the Year” honors more than once. Campbell was a nine-time winner and Wells was honored for the second time in his career this season.
The 2002 season marks the fifth time in Wells 13-year coaching career he has been tabbed Coach of the Year. Wells also won Southland Conference “Coach of the Year” honors three times (1991, 1992 and 1994) while at Northwestern State.
BAMA’S SEC “COACH OF THE YEAR” WINNERS
Year Coach
1934 J.B. Whitworth
1935 Tilden “Happy” Campbell
1936 Tilden “Happy” Campbell
1938 Tilden “Happy” Campbell
1940 Tilden “Happy” Campbell
1941 Tilden “Happy” Campbell
1942 Tilden “Happy” Campbell
1947 Tilden “Happy” Campbell
1950 Tilden “Happy” Campbell
1955 Tilden “Happy” Campbell
1968 Joe Sewell
1983 Barry Shollenberger
1996 Jim Wells
2002 Jim Wells
JIM WELLS COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Year Honored By
1991 Southland Conference
1992 Southland Conference
1994 Southland Conference
1996 Southeastern Conference
1997 Baseball America (National)
1999 ABCA South Region
2002 Southeastern Conference
