Montevallo Career Highlights (6th Year/13th Year Overall)
- Winningest coach in Montevallo women’s basketball history
- Class of 1999 inductee in the Montevallo Athletics Hall of Fame
- Two NAIA “Final 4” appearances
- Four NAIA “Elite 8” appearances
- Five NAIA National Tournament appearances
- Gulf South Conference East Division Championship in 1995-96
- One NCAA Regional Appearance in 2020-21
Coaching Experience
- University Montevallo Head Coach (2016-present)
- Trevecca Nazarene University Head Coach (2005-2016)
- University of Tennessee-Martin Head Coach (1996-03)
- University of Montevallo Head Coach (1989-1996)
- Motlow State Community College Head Coach (1988-89)
Coaching Highlights
- NAIA National Finalist in 2007-08
- Led Trevecca Nazarene to back-to-back NAIA “Elite 8” appearances
- Led Trevecca Nazarene to back-to-back Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championships
- Led University of Tennessee-Martin to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament in 1998-99
- Led University of Tennessee-Martin to the Ohio Valley Conference Championship in 1998-99
- Was named the Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 1997-98
Education
- Trevecca Nazarene University (Bachelor’s - 1979)
- Tennessee State University (Master’s - 1989)
Personal/Family
- Wife: Courtney
- Children: K.C., Kade, Jase and Jayli
Year Record Conf. Finish Conference Postseason NCAA Postseason
1 (’16-17) 5-21 (2-17 PBC) 14th None None
2 (’17-18) 4-24 (2-18 GSC) 14th None None
3 (’18-19) 12-16 (8-12 GSC) 9th None None
4 (’19-20) 18-11 (12-8 GSC) 5th None None
5 (’20-21) 14-7 (13-4 GSC) 2nd (East) Quarterfinals None
Montevallo Record (2nd): 53-79 (37-59 Conf.)
Overall Record: 677-420
(540-370 at 4-year Institutions)
Gary Van Atta is entering his sixth season as the head coach of the women's basketball program in his second stint at the University.
Van Atta, a Class of 1999 inductee in the Montevallo Athletics Hall of Fame, compiled a 166-49 record over seven seasons in his tenure at Montevallo from 1989-96. All six of the Falcons' 20-win seasons occurred under Van Atta, including a program best 28-7 record during the 1993-94 season.
"An opportunity to bring Coach Van Atta back to Montevallo to reinvigorate the program is an opportunity that doesn't come along very often," said Montevallo Athletic Director Mark Richard. "He not only coaches student-athletes on the court, he helps develop the total person off the court."
After guiding the Falcons to five consecutive trips to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Tournament, including four Elite Eight appearances and two Final Four appearances, and a Gulf South Conference East Division Championship in the school's provisional year as a NCAA Division II member, Van Atta left Montevallo to take the head coaching position at NCAA Division I University of Tennessee-Martin in 1996.
Van Atta became the winningest coach in the history of the UT-Martin program, as well, highlighting his eight-year tenure at the school by leading the Skyhawks to a victory over Ole Miss in the NCAA Division I Women's National Invitation Tournament in 1999. Van Atta, who guided the UT-Martin program from 1996-2003, was named the Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 1998 and led the Skyhawks to the OVC Championship in 1999.
Van Atta has spent the past 11 season as the head coach at his alma mater, Trevecca Nazarene University, following his stint at UT-Martin. During his tenure at Trevecca Nazarene, Van Atta guided the Trojans to back-to-back Elite Eight appearances in the NAIA National Tournament and led the program to its first appearance in the National Championship game in 2008. Van Atta also guided the Trojans to back-to-back Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championships following the school's transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II.
Van Atta has coached more than 100 NAIA District Scholar-Athletes and 22 NAIA National Scholar-Athletes during his coaching tenure.
Van Atta graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University with a bachelor's degree in physical education and history in 1979. Van Atta earned his master's degree in educational administration from Tennessee State University in 1989.
