West Liberty State women’s basketball coach Lynn Ullom has been selected as the 2000 West Virginia College Coach of the Year in balloting conducted by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. Charleston men’s basketball Jayson Gee was the runner-up, former West Virginia University football coach Don Nehlen placed third, and former Salem International men’s basketball coach Mike Carey rounded out the top four.

Ullom is the first WVIAC coach to receive the honor since then-Glenville State head football coach Rich Rodriguez won the honor in 1993. The WLSC mentor is the first coach of a women’s squad to ever win the award. In addition, he is only third West Liberty State coach to be honored and the first since former men’s basketball coach Ollie Olson in 1960.

His WLSC squads have won four of the last five WVIAC Tournament titles and the Hilltoppers won both the regular season and tournament crowns en route to an NCAA Tournament appearance this past season. Ullom has recorded a 185-107 record in his ten season tenure at West Liberty.

WVSWA College Coach of the Year Winners From WVIAC Schools:
2001-Lynn Ullom (West Liberty State, women's basketball)
1993-Rich Rodriguez (Glenville State, football)
1990-Steve Cox (Concord, men’s basketball)
1989-Steve Dodd (Alderson-Broaddus, men’s basketball)
1986-Craig Carse (West Virginia State, men’s basketball)
1985-Tex Williams (Charleston, men’s basketball)
1982-Bruce Stewart (West Virginia Wesleyan, men’s basketball)
1979-Cal Bailey (West Virginia State, baseball)
1977-Joe Retton (Fairmont State, men’s basketball)
1976-Gary Hess (West Virginia Wesleyan, men’s basketball)
1975-Joe Retton (Fairmont State, men’s basketball)
1974-Joe Cook (Beckley, men’s basketball)
1973-Joe Retton (Fairmont State, men’s basketball)
1972-Curtis Price (West Virginia State, men’s basketball)
1971-Jesse Lilly (Glenville State, men’s basketball)
1970-Joe Retton (Fairmont State, men’s basketball)
1968-Joe Retton (Fairmont State, men’s basketball)
1967-Harold Duvall (Fairmont State, football)
1966-Rich Meckfessel (Morris Harvey, men’s basketball)
1965-Harold Duvall (Fairmont State, football)
1962-Sonny Moran (Morris Harvey, men’s basketball)
1960-Ollie Olson (West Liberty State, men’s basketball)
1959-Harold Duvall (Fairmont State, football)
1958-Hank Ellis (West Virginia Wesleyan, men’s basketball)
1957-Neal Baisi (West Virginia Tech, men’s basketball)
1956-Joe Bartell (West Liberty State, football)
1955-Don Fuoss (Shepherd, football)
1954-Eddie King (Morris Harvey, all sports)
1949-Herb Royer (West Virginia Tech, football)