GDW Analysis:
It's official.
Tammy West will be coaching AHSAA girls basketball next year at Cullman High School.
On Monday, the Cullman City School Board approved the hiring of West.
West brings with her a resume of being the winningest coach in Cullman County schools' history, compiling 754 victories at Cold Springs High School in 33 years.
Her 33rd year with Cold Springs finished on February 17 in the Northwest Regional championship, losing the 2A title game to Decatur Heritage at Wallace State Community College.
Right around that time, Gameday Weekly was aware through sources of Cullman possibly looking to make a change at the lead position of the Lady Bearcats.
Jessica McBrayer stepped down from the job on March 3. One week later, Cullman High School found the person they were wanting to be her successor.
McBrayer coached the Lady 'Cats for two seasons, getting them to the Sweet 16 of the AHSAA 6A playoffs in 2024/25.
Cullman finished 2nd in 6A, Area 13 to Mortimer Jordan, but stayed in the postseason after a 61 to 57 upset of Clay Chalkville in the sub regional round February 7.
In the 2024/25 season for West at Cold Springs, 19 wins out of 28 games, the 2A, Area 11 championship, a victory in the sub regional, followed by a regional semifinal defeat of Sulligent to get the Lady Eagles to championship play at Tom Drake Coliseum.
Cold Springs was ranked 2nd all season by the state sportswriters behind Decatur Heritage in 2A.
From 2019 to 2025, West guided the Lady Eagles to a state championship, state runner up, five Elite 8 appearances and 164 wins in this span.
West is 7th in all time victories for AHSAA girls basketball.
Three coaches who are still active and ahead of her are Jana Killen of Deshler (No. 1), Ricky Austin of Spring Garden (No. 5) and Tim Miller of Hazel Green (No. 6).
Over the weekend, West and Austin worked together as part of the staff for the Alabama All Stars in defeating Mississippi 71 to 61 for the 8th consecutive victory and a 21 & 14 record all time in this all star series.
Cullman City Schools Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff was pleased with the decision to hire West. "I look forward to the impact she will have on our school and basketball program, but most importantly, our student athletes."
Cullman will be in 6A, Area 13 for West's inaugural season and will battle Jasper and Mortimer Jordan in area play.
She will have experience personnel to blend her skills with such as seniors to be Molly Dorough, Rachel Hoffman, Kadence Hanback, Kentley White, juniors to be Molly Wilson, Hattie Graham and Zoe Snider.
Cold Springs in the meantime, will begin the process of replacing West.
West is part of a family that has meant so much to basketball in Cullman County, from her father, Danny Welborn who had over 300 victories in 20 years coaching at Good Hope High School, to her brother John with 205 victories in his tenure as girls coach at West Point High School.
Photo courtesy of Cullman Daily.
