LIVINGSTON, Ala. – After guiding the University of West Alabama men's basketball team to a GSC Regular Season Championship in 2025–26, head coach Nick Woodruff was named GSC Coach of the Year on Tuesday.

Woodruff earns the third GSC Coach of the Year honor of his career after leading the Tigers to a 24–4 regular-season record and securing the No. 1 seed in the GSC Tournament.

Under Woodruff's leadership, West Alabama has been dominant throughout the 2025–26 campaign. The Tigers have recorded 18 double-digit victories, contributing to an impressive +14.3 scoring margin. Known for emphasizing integrity, toughness, and defensive discipline, Woodruff has built a team that reflects his identity on that end of the floor.

West Alabama has held opponents to just 64.0 points per game on 39.9 percent shooting with both of those marks leading the GSC and ranking among the top 15 nationally. UWA has also controlled the glass, out-rebounding opponents by 10.1 boards per game, the fourth-best mark in the nation.

Offensively, the Tigers have been just as efficient. West Alabama averages only 9.6 turnovers per game, ranking fourth in Division II. UWA has also been lethal from beyond the arc, shooting 38.2 percent from three-point range which is good enough for 15th nationally.

This past offseason, Woodruff overhauled the roster, bringing in key contributors such as Christian Thompson, BJ Brown Jr., Caleb Parr, and Jakobe Singleton. The revamped lineup has paid immediate dividends, as UWA has improved by 12 wins compared to this point last season and appears poised for an NCAA Tournament berth.

Woodruff is also a strong candidate for South Region Coach of the Year, an honor that will be announced later this month.