Head Coach Gary Rundles became just the eighth college coach in the history of baseball in the state of Alabama to record 1,000 victories, hitting the milestone with a 2-1 victory over Spring Hill on March 7, 2020.
In a career that has spanned over 40 years, 20 of those running a Tiger program where he has won 642 games and made six NCAA Regional appearances.
In all, Rundles has coached 1,664 games as a collegiate head coach. He is 642-417 in 21Â years at West Alabama and 1,014-694Â in 34 years as a college head coach.Â
Rundles has been inducted into the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Central (Tenn.) High School HOF, the Greater Chattanooga Area Sports Hall of Fame and UWA Athletic Hall of Fame.
Rundles has guided the Tigers to regional berths in two of the last six years, including an NCAA South Region final in 2017. The 2015 season was one of the top in Rundles decorated career. He led the Tigers to a nation-leading 20-game winning streak and a 42-11 record before losing in the South Regional to eventual national champion Tampa.
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Along the way, UWA captured both the regular season and GSC conference tournament titles. The 2015 season was capped off by pitchers Tanner Rainey and Gandy Stubblefield being selected in the Major League Baseball Draft. Rainey was taken by the Cincinnati Reds with the 71st overall selection and Stubblefield by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 28th round. Rundles also earned 2015 GSC coach of the year honors. Rainey added a World Series ring to his collection in 2019 as a reliever with the Washington Nationals.
In 2009, Rundles guided the Tigers to a 38-16 record and a berth in the NCAA South Regional along with a conference tournament appearance. It was the fourth regional bid for UWA while under Rundles direction. In 2008, Rundles directed UWA to a 45-13 record and an appearance in the NCAA South Central Regional in Cleveland, Miss. The 45 wins tied the school record set in 2005. Under Rundles guidance, a GSC- and school-record 12 Tigers were named to the All-GSC teams.
In 2007, Rundles led UWA to the Gulf South Conference East Division crown. The Tigers compiled a 41-16 record and earned a spot in the GSC Tournament Championship Game. Seven Tigers were named All-GSC with one named to the All-South Central Region Team. In 2006, Rundles guided the Tigers to a 42-22 record, including a runner-up finish in the GSC Tournament and a berth in the South Central Regional.
From his beginnings as a coach and teacher of the game at Central High School in Harrison, Tennessee, to his current status as one of the most well-known coaches in the Southeast, Rundles attacks every season with a burning desire to succeed and a firm belief in fundamental baseball.
He came to West Alabama from Carson-Newman, where he built and maintained one of the most solid programs in all of the land over a 13-year career. Rundles won five conference titles and finished runner-up on four occasions at Carson Newman.
He guided the Eagles to a Division II College World Series berth in 1999, earning Conference, Region, and Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year honors. He also led Carson-Newman to the NAIA World Series in 1993 and was named conference coach of the year on six separate occasions.
For Rundles, a long, success-filled coaching career began at Chattanooga Central (Tenn.) High School in 1977. Over an eight-year stretch, he compiled a record of 171-72. In 1985, Rundles departed for his alma mater Carson-Newman, where he served in the capacity of graduate assistant, and later as assistant coach. After two seasons on the Eagles staff he was promoted to head coach.
Rundles continues to bring a tireless work ethic in recruiting, motivating and teaching the game to West Alabama. A firm believer in dedication and discipline, he leads by example and achieves success through hard work. He also served a term as the chairman of the NCAA Division II Baseball Committee.
Rundles, 66, is married to the former Joan Lambert of Jefferson City, Tennessee. Joan and Gary were parents to three grown children, Alley, Megan and Richard (deceased).
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