Head Coach Amanda Marks enters her ninth season at
West Alabama and 14th overall. In her 13 years of coaching she has
compiled an overall record of 230 wins and 163 losses. In her past
eight seasons at West Alabama she has an overall record of 125 wins
and 99 losses with a Gulf South Conference record of 114 wins and 78
losses.
Marks has led the Tigers to the GSC Tournament in
six out of her eight years in Livingston with appearances in
2001-02, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09. 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, Marks’ squad started with six freshman
among four returning players from the 2007-08. UWA earned its sixth
GSC berth win a 56-54 win at Montevallo.
The Athens, Ala.-native guided the 2007-08 editiion
of 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. She is a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches
Association.
