Veteran basketball coach Jeff Lovell has joined the University of West Alabama women’s basketball coaching staff, according to an announcement by head coach Rusty Cram. “I am very excited about Jeff joining our staff as a full-time assistant,” Cram said. “We had a good group of candidates that applied, but Jeff is very knowledgeable about the game, so he was at the top because of his experience. He had also spent two quality years with us, so it was an easy decision when it came down to it.” “He is a quality person who knows the student-athletes and the program. I am excited to have him full-time, and I know our returners are super excited, so I think we will do a great job together,” Cram said. “I look forward to working with him. We are very pleased and fortunate to have him.” Lovell brings 23 years of coaching experience to UWA. He moves into the full-time assistant role for the Tigers after serving as a volunteer coach for the past two years. “I am extremely excited and thank God for the opportunity to do what I love for a living, and that’s making a difference in the lives of others and coaching basketball,” Lovell said. “UWA is truly a special place.” “I am humbled and grateful to be a part of the Tiger family, and I look forward to bringing an enthusiastic and winning attitude to the program,” Lovell said. “I want to thank Coach Cram and the administration for believing in me and affording me the opportunity to help take the women’s basketball program to the next level.” Before joining the Tigers staff, Lovell served as a head coach at Lowndes Academy for 18 years. He has a head coaching record of 234-84. Under Lovell’s guidance, the varsity girls won three 2A AISA State Championships and made eight state championship appearances. The junior varsity girls and boys also won three 2A AISA State Championships. In 2015, Lovell was named All-Metro Coach of the Year andMontgomery AdvertiserCoach of the Year. Lovell was the assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Alabama from 1995 to 1997. The team made Sweet Sixteen appearances both years he was on the Crimson Tide staff. Lovell also helped coach and recruit two First Team All-SEC student-athletes and a First Team All-American. Lovell started his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at UWA from 1994 to 1995. Originally from Hayneville, Alabama, Lovell played collegiate basketball at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama, where he was the team captain, named second team All-Conference, was on the Dean’s List, and had the single-season assist record in 1991. After earning his Associate’s Degree from Wallace State, he played at the University of Alabama. Lovell earned the Mr. Hustle Award in 1992 and 1993. During his time at Alabama, the men’s basketball team was SEC runner-up and made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He graduated from Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in education with an emphasis in sports fitness management. Lovell and his wife Terri have been married 20 years and have two children, Luke and Abby.
https://uwaathletics.com/news/2022/7/20/lovell-joins-uwa-womens-basketball-staff.aspx
