Head Coach Amanda Marks enters her eighth season
at West Alabama and 13th overall. In her 12 years of coaching she
has compiled an overall record of 219 wins and 146 losses. In her
past seven seasons at West Alabama she has an overall record of 114
wins and 82 losses with a Gulf South Conference record of 109 wins
and 71 losses.
Marks has led the Tigers to the GSC Tournament in
five out of her seven years in Livingston with appearances in
2001-02, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08. She led the Tigers
to a pair of GSC Eastern Division Titles and two NCAA Tournament
appearances in 2001-02 and 2003-04. The 01-02 team went 22-6 and
made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The 03-04 team
went 22-8 and won a NCAA Tournament game for the first time in
school history.
Last season, the Athens, Ala.-native guided the
Red and White to a 13-15 record after a 1-4 start to the season. The
Tigers finished third in the GSC East Division and earned a berth in
their third consecutive GSC Women’s Basketball Tournament with an
8-4 conference record.
Marks came to UWA after a five-year stint with
Calhoun Community College. While at Calhoun, Marks compiled a 105-64
record. Her teams won Region 22 Championships in 1997 and 1998. In
2000 and 2001 her teams finished as Region 22 runner-up and Marks
was named 2001 AJCCC Coach of the Year.
Before moving to head coach, Marks served as
women’s assistant basketball coach and recruiter for Calhoun
Community College from 1993-96. She began her coaching career at
Ardmore High School, where she coached volleyball and softball. From
there, she moved on to Speake High School to serve as a physical
education instructor, as well as volleyball, women’s basketball and
softball coach.
Marks played her freshman year at the University
of South Alabama and then transferred to Calhoun Community College
for her sophomore season. She attended the University of North
Alabama from 1986-88, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and
Physical Education while playing basketball for the Lions. In 1999,
she furthered her education earning a Master of Science in Health
and Physical Education from her alma mater (UNA).
She is the daughter of Bobby and Nancy Marks of
Athens, AL. She has three brothers (Bill, Bracy, and Heath), two
nieces (Sydney and Shila), and one nephew (Cason). Marks enjoys
spending time with her family and going to the beach in her spare
time. She resides in Livingston with her two rescued dogs, Mattie
and Black.
