Sept. 2, 2009

Wells Retires, Gaspard Named Head Coach at Alabama

Head coach Jim Wells has retired at Alabama, effective immediately. Mitch Gaspard, who has been assistant coach and recruiting coordinator the past two seasons, will become the new skipper of the Crimson Tide.

Wells, 54, is the winningest coach in Alabama baseball history. He posted a record of 625-322 (.656) in 15 seasons. Wells led the Crimson Tide to a pair of SEC championships, six SEC Tournament titles and 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. He guided Alabama to four NCAA Regional championships, two NCAA Super Regional appearances and three trips to the College World Series (1996, 1997, 1999).

Wells was head coach for five years at Northwestern State before joining the Crimson Tide. He compiled an overall record of 817-411 (.665) in 20 seasons as a Division I head coach.

Gaspard was head coach at Northwestern State for six years (211-128, .622) before returning to Alabama in 2008. He led the Demons to a pair of Southland championships, one Southland Tournament title and a spot in the 2005 Baton Rouge Regional. Gaspard was on Wells’ original staff at Alabama in 1995 and worked with the Crimson Tide before leaving for Northwestern State.

After leading Jefferson High School to a Texas state title as a shortstop, Gaspard played second base at LSU for one year and at Houston for two seasons. He was an assistant coach at Houston for one year and at Louisiana-Lafayette for four seasons.

Gaspard agreed to a three-year contract as Alabama head coach.

Click here for list of 2009 Division I head coaching changes.