University of West Alabama Women's Volleyball

The University of West Alabama Athletic Department announced the hiring of Ed Allen to be the University's 16th Head Volleyball Coach on December 20, 2024. Allen steps in as the most experienced Head Coach in UWA Volleyball history as the newly minted Head Coach carries 717 career wins, currently standing as the sixth most victories in NCAA Volleyball history. Throughout his 34-year coaching career, Allen has made stops at Presbyterian, Alabama, Tulsa, Anderson, and Southern Illinois, accumulating winning seasons in 30 of those 34 years. Along with that statistic, Allen has won nine Conference Championships, made six NCAA Tournament appearances, all while being named Conference Coach of the Year six times in his career. Before landing in Livingston, Allen's last stop was in Carbondale, Illinois, leading Southern Illinois' program. Under Allen, the Salukis improved their win total by 12 in 2022, from the year prior, marking the largest win improvement in school history. In the following season, Southern Illinois recorded the first 20 win season in program history in eight years, before going on to win 69 total matches over the course of six seasons. Upon arriving at Southern Illinois, Allen coached at the University of Alabama from 2011-2018. Allen accumulated a 152-101 record during his time with the Crimson Tide, including a program record 26 wins in 2014. In the year prior, Alabama put together 24 wins, leading to Allen being named the AVCA South Region Coach of the Year. In both 2013 and 2014, the Crimson Tide made trips to the NCAA Tournament, marking the first time Alabama made consecutive Tournament appearances in nearly a decade.  Allen's most dominant run in the Division I ranks came with the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes as he racked up 133 wins in four years, becoming the fastest coach in school history to reach 100 wins. Allen took over the Program in 2006 and immediately won 27 matches in his first season, finishing first in the C-USA. Allen went on to win 27 matches in 2007, 22 in 2008, 26 in 2009, and 31 in 2010, making NCAA Appearances in 2007 and 2010. During his stint with Tulsa, Allen broke or tied the school record for Conference wins on three separate occasions, leading to a pair of C-USA Coach of the Year selections in 2006 and 2010 on top of being named the AVCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year also in 2010. Before making his debut at the Division I level, Allen secured the Head Coaching job at Presbyterian in 2003. The young Head Coach continued to shine as he recorded a 94-18 record with the Blue Hose, making a pair of NCAA Division II Tournament Appearances and being named the South Atlantic Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2005. Allen kicked off his Head Coaching career at Anderson in 1992 and proceeded to put together a 267-128 record over the course of 11 seasons. With Allen at the helm, Anderson finished every season well over .500, leading to the Anderson, Indiana native being awarded the Heartland Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year twice.  Along with his plethora of accomplishments and accolades, Allen is also known as a talent developer, coaching many of his players to All-American, Player of the Year, All-Conference, and All-Region selections, including Tyler Henderson who became Tulsa's first All-American in the Program's history.

Benjamin White was announced as UWA's Inaugural Women's Flag Football Head Coach on May 26, 2026. White takes over the newly established program after UWA announced the addition of women's flag football on Oct. 2, 2025.  A native of Savannah, Georgia, White brings extensive experience and success as both a player and coach that features multiple flag football national championships on his ledger. White began his coaching career at Calvary Day School in 2021, serving as an assistant coach with an emphasis on offensive strategy and concepts. With White on staff, Calvary Day School went on to win three Regional Championships, before taking home the inaugural Future Stars (FSG) Women's High School National Championship in 2024.  In 2022, White secured the first head coaching position of his career as he was named the leader of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes U18 team. In this role, White was both the offensive and defensive play caller and strategist, while spearheading the program's recruiting efforts.  Before entering coaching, White enjoyed a successful playing career, winning the seven-man National and World Flag Championship with Team Savannah in 2019.

Butler, a native of New Zealand, joins West Alabama's staff after a lengthy collegiate playing career at AUM, Hillsborough CC, and Pasco Hernado State College along with coaching experience at the collegiate and club level. As a player, Butler was a standout recruit on the overseas scene, putting together a remarkable High School career. Butler led Riccarton High School from 2012-2016, picking up a multitude of awards along the way which included Team MVP in three consecutive seasons from 2014-2016. A tremendous High School career led to Butler continuing her athletic and academic career at Pasco Hernando State College. The New Zealand native had no issues adjusting to the next level as she turned in a program altering first season. As a true freshman, Butler was named a NCJCAA Second Team All-American, after leading Pasco Hernando State College to a Regional Championship and a berth to the NJCAA Nationals. After making a statement on the JUCO circuit, Butler transferred to AUM in 2019 and quickly left her imprint on the program. In her first year with the Warhawks, Butler broke the school record in digs, digs per set, and digs per game, making her a clear and easy selection for AUM's 2010-2020 All-Decade team.  After her playing career came to a close, Butler entered coaching in 2022. To kick start her new journey, the former Libero taught private and group lessons, before accepting an Assistant position for Capital City Juniors Volleyball Club while also serving as a Volunteer Assistant at Huntingdon College. Butler occupied those two roles, before being promoted to Head Coach at Capital City Juniors earlier this year. With Butler at the helm, Capital City went on to win the Icebreaker Championship along with the Queen of the Mountains Championship.