FLORENCE -- Billy Gamble, who in 21 years as the men's golf coach at the University of North Alabama helped establish the Lions' program as a national power in the NCAA Division II, has announced his retirement from his position at UNA, effective immediately.

Gamble came to UNA in 1988 as assistant men's basketball coach and took over as head golf coach as well in 1989. During his tenure as golf coach, Gamble not only led UNA to its first-ever team NCAA Tournament appearance in golf, but his 11 overall NCAA trips are more than any coach in any sport in UNA history.

Volunteer assistant coach Stuart Clark, who has been working with the UNA golfers for the last year, will direct the program on an interim basis. Clark, a three-year letterman in the UNA program, was a two-time All-GSC honoree and 1996 GSC individual champion.

After taking over as head golf coach at UNA in 1989, Gamble coached 25 All-GSC performers, 14 All- Americans, and helped UNA remain among the most consistent performers in the conference. In all, Gamble led UNA to eleven NCAA regional appearances (1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2009) and nine national championship tournaments (1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009).

The Lions also won their first-ever golf regional title in 2002, repeated in 2003 , won a third in 2007 and a fourth last Spring. He also led UNA to its first Gulf South Conference golf title in school history in 2009.

In the summer of 2007, Gamble was inducted into the Wiregrass Hall of Fame as one of the most notable sports figures to emerge from the Dothan area of south Alabama. He was also named NCAA Division II South Region Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2009.

Gamble served as a basketball assistant at West Georgia for eight seasons prior to coming to UNA and was instrumental in helping put the UNA basketball program back in the national spotlight.

In 15 years as an assistant to Gary Elliott, Gamble helped the basketball Lions post an impressive 270- 150 record that included four NCAA Tournament appearances and the 1991 Division II National Championship.

A native of Dothan, Ala., Gamble helped West Georgia compile a 162-67 basketball record during his tenure with the Braves, including two Gulf South Conference championships and five NCAA regional appearances. He also coached the WGC golf team.

Gamble graduated from Chipola (Fla.) Junior College. He then attended Troy State University, where he played basesball and earned a physical education degree in 1967.

Following a brief professional career as a pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, Gamble went to work as a coach at Malone (Fla.) High School and George High School in Atlanta, before settling at Sprayberry High School near Atlanta.

For nine and a half years before going to West Georgia, Gamble served as athletic director and head coach at Sprayberry, where he produced several outstanding teams and players, including Chuck Nevitt of the Detroit Pistons.

While at West Georgia, Gamble also led the Braves golf team. The 64-year-old Gamble is married to the former June Passan of New Britian, Conn.

Gamble’s Golf Record at UNA
1989 24-36
1990
1991
1992 51-31
1993 31-79
1994 60-105
1995 47-34
1996 47-34 NCAA Regional
Tied 13th in Nation
1997 40-35-1
1998 33-34-1
1999 46-47 NCAA Regional
2000 72-37-2 NCAA Regional
14th in Nation
2001 48-42-1 NCAA Regional
2002 60-21-1 NCAA Regional Champs
4th in Nation
2003 65-16-2 NCAA Regional Champs
Tied 6th in Nation
2004 67-18 NCAA Regional
Tied 13th in Nation
2005 61-18-3
2006 62-43-3 NCAA Regional
14th in Nation
2007 96-20 NCAA Regional Champs
12th in Nation
2008 88-33-1 NCAA Regional
Tied 2nd in Nation
2009 99-28-1 NCAA Regional Champs
Tied 9th in Nation