LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Glen Fanelli as Head Coach of the men’s and women’s tennis programs, effective immediately.

Fanelli, a native of Kentucky, brings eight years of head coaching experience and 12 years in the coaching profession to UWA with stints at Montevallo, Wallace State Community College, Samford and Alabama.

“Glen Fanelli is a tennis veteran with a vast network of coaching and recruiting contacts,” said UWA Director of Athletics E. J. Brophy. “His teaching and coaching skills are second to none and he has been highly successful in the state of Alabama. We welcome him to our fine university and look forward to moving our tennis programs to the next level.”

Fanelli, who started the tennis program at Montevallo, served as the women’s tennis coach there from 1995-1996 before taking the reins at Wallace State.

During his four years at Wallace State he led both programs to prominence. The women’s program claimed the 1999 AJCCC title and also captured the NJCAA National Championship. The men’s team also claimed the AJCCC crown that year and finished fourth in the NJCAA National Tournament. Fanelli was honored as the NJCAA National Coach of the Year for leading both programs.

After his success at the community college level, Fanelli took the helm at Samford University for four seasons and led those programs to wins over Jacksonville State, Birmingham-Southern, Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky.

After a playing career at the University of Kentucky, Fanelli served as an assistant coach at Alabama from 1987-88, where he coached two, two-time All-Americans in Clinton Ferreria and Ellis Ferreria. During his time at Alabama the Crimson Tide finished 25^th nationally and fifth in the SEC.