Annette Sanderson, Wife of former Alabama MBB Coach Wimp Sanderson, Dies at 86

Sarah Annette Sanderson, the wife of former Alabama men's basketball coach Wimp Sanderson, passed away on Wednesday. She was 86 years old when she passed.

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Annette, born Nov. 19, 1938, in Florence, Alabama, attended Coffee High School. She and Wimps Sanderson met there, marrying in October after her senior year of high school.

The Sandersons were married for 67 years.

“Annette was a firm Christian wife and mom who raised three great sons who all chose coaching which means Annette had to endure a coaching family for her lifetime and was the ultimate coaches wife and mother through every victory and painstaking loss,” her obituary from her family read.

Annette and Wimp had three children: Jim (Jill) Sanderson, Scott (Ronda) Sanderson, and Barry (Jenny) Sanderson. They had 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Wimp was a graduate assistant for the Crimson Tide in 1990, then was hired as an assistant coach for Alabama for the next 20 years. Wimp then completed to full circle, being hired as the Tide's head men's basketball coach in 1981. He coached for 12 years, amassing a 267-119 overall record.

Meanwhile, Annette spent 12 years as a real estate agent. She left the real estate business once Wimp got to Alabama. She spent her time supporting the coaches in her family.

“I’m pretty vocal at the games,” Annette told The Birmingham News in 1987. “People that go to games can’t believe it’s me because I’m normally a quiet person.”

Annette was also tasked with picking out Wimp's signature plaid jackets.

“She loved supporting her husband and sons throughout their coaching careers,” her obituary read. “Her favorite pastimes were playing tennis, reading books, hanging out and playing cards with family and friends, cooking, and decorating her homes. She lived life fully and will be missed by many.”

The service celebrating Annette's life will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, at the University Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 a.m. A graveside service will take place at 4 p.m. at Florence Cemetery Center in Florence.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Wimp, Barry, Jim, and Scott, as well as the rest of the family. Our thoughts are also with the Alabama men's basketball community.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.