Jim Wells Inducted into Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
9/10/2026 10:00:00 AM | Baseball
The former Crimson Tide baseball head coach earned three College World Series appearances across 15 seasons
NATCHITOCHES, La. - Former Alabama baseball head coach Jim Wells was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the organization unveiled Wednesday.
Wells, a native of Bossier City, Louisiana, led the Crimson Tide baseball program from 1994-2009, and was enshrined alongside fellow inductees including Leonard Fournette, Patrick Peterson, Aaron Hill, Ryan Theriot, Robby Albarado, Hank Tierney, Lisa Ingram and Henry Thomas.
A 40-member Louisiana Sports Writers Association committee selected the 2027 inductees completing a three-week process. The panel considered 144 nominees from 23 different sport categories on a 34-page competitors ballot, with 58 reaching the final phase of deliberations. The complete 12-person Class of 2027 will swell the overall membership in the Hall of Fame to 512 men and women – athletes, coaches, administrators and sports media members -- honored since its founding in 1958.
The new class will be enshrined next June 24-26 at the Hall of Fame's home in Natchitoches to culminate the 68th Induction Celebration. Ticket information for the seven events over three days of festivities is available at the LaSportsHall.com website.
Jim Wells
2027 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
- Led the Crimson Tide for 15 seasons, maintaining a 625-322 (.660) career record in Tuscaloosa
- Closed his career as the all-time winningest coach in Alabama history with his 625 victories, including a program-best 259 in SEC play
- Posted a career record of 817-411 (.655) in 20 overall seasons as a head coach, a mark that includes five seasons at his alma mater Northwestern State
- Tallied three Men's College World Series appearances (1996-97 ,1999), 14 NCAA Tournament berths, five conference titles (1991, 1993, 1994 (Southland) /1996, 2006 (SEC)), and led the Tide to the College World Series Championship Game in 1997
- Twice named SEC Coach of the Year (1996, 2002)
- Inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame in 2024 and the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009
