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Wes Flanigan, a former All-Southeastern Conference performer at Auburn and a member of the men's basketball coaching staff at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock the past four years, was named assistant coach at UAB in May of 2008. His duties at UAB include helping the Blazers' recruiting efforts, on-court coaching, conducting individual workouts, and instructing the Blazers' perimeter players. "I am very excited to have someone of Wes' caliber to join our staff," said UAB head coach Mike Davis. "Wes is a quality coach and a great recruiter who did a terrific job at UALR. He is someone who is really respected by college coaches around the nation and has a great feel for the game." Flanigan served this past year at UALR as associate head coach/recruiting coordinator. The Trojans finished the 2007-08 season with a 20-11 record and were the No. 2 seed at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. In all, Flanigan spent four seasons at UALR. "I am very excited to be a part of the UAB basketball program," said Flanigan. "I have always followed the program from a distance and I am anxious to be a part of such a successful tradition. I am coming back to familiar territory having played at Auburn and I feel like I know the area pretty well. I had the chance to sit down with the staff to get to know them better. I'm excited to find my niche and help continue the success in any way I can." A former All-SEC selection at Auburn, Flanigan joined the Trojan staff in June of 2004 and has played a major role in the team's success during his four seasons. In addition to his on-court contributions, Flanigan has served as the lead recruiter on some of UALR's top signings, including NCAA rebounding champion Rashad Jones-Jennings. Flanigan, a Little Rock, Ark. native, joined the Trojans after five seasons as an assistant at Northwest Mississippi Community College. During his time at Northwest, Flanigan, who worked with both the men's and women's teams, helped lead the men's squad to a record of 119-39 while the Lady Rangers compiled a mark of 80-51. The Northwest men's program also won three Region XXIII championships and earned three trips to the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship tournament during Flanigan's tenure. The Rangers also captured two MACJC North Division titles and the state championship in 2001. Flanigan, the son of Little Rock Parkview High School head basketball coach Al Flanigan, also helped the Lady Rangers to five consecutive post-season tournaments. The women's team played in four regional and five state tournaments as well. A graduate of Little Rock Parkview High School, Flanigan was a four-year letterman at Auburn from 1993 to 1997. He was team co-captain for three seasons and averaged 10.1 points, 4.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds during his college career. During his junior season with the Tigers, Flanigan earned All-SEC honors in 1996 as he averaged 13.4 points per game and 6.7 assists while being named the Tigers' Most Valuable Player. Flanigan graduated from Auburn with a degree in health promotion and was given the Cliff Hare Award for being the university's top student-athlete in 1997. He was also recognized twice with the Paul Lambert and Tommy Joe Eagles Award for his leadership abilities, and receiving All-SEC honors following his junior year. He currently ranks No. 18 on the Auburn all-time scoring list with 1,228 points and is second on the Tigers' career list for assists with 573. He finished his career with averages of 10.1 points and 4.8 assists. A prep standout at Parkview, Flanigan was named the 1992-93 Gatorade High School Player of the Year for the state of Arkansas following his senior season and earned Most Valuable Player honors in the state All-Star Game that year. Flanigan and his wife Katrina have three sons: Michael Lewis, 15, Allen, 7 and newborn Collin. |
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