With an eye toward an April 26 spring game, Brett Gilliland and his staff begin their first spring football practice at West Alabama Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. All practices will take place at Tiger Stadium on the University of West Alabama campus and are open to the public.

“We are extremely excited and ready to take the field for spring practice,” Gilliland said. “Our guys have been working very hard in the weight room, and as a coaching staff it couldn’t get here fast enough.”

Including the annual spring game, the Tigers will practice 15 times as the new staff begins implementation of schemes and evaluating personnel for the first time in a setting other than offseason drills.

“Seeing these guys on film and in the weight room has us excited, but nothing compares to watching and working with our guys in an actual practice,” Gilliland said. “This should be a great spring with a great opportunity for Tiger fans to come out and see the 2014 UWA Tigers.”

The defending back-to-back Gulf South Conference champions, West Alabama returns 11 starters, five on offense, three on defense and three on special teams.

Among the returnees is GSC offensive player of the year Kyle Caldwell at quarterback, as well as all-conference selections Javae Swindle at running back, kicker Mark Grant and tight end Ty Morgan. UWA graduated four first-team defensive All-GSC performers.

Following are 2014 spring practice dates for the Tigers:

Wednesday April 2 3:15 p.m.

Friday April 4 3:15 p.m.

Saturday April 5 10 a.m.

Monday April 7 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday April 9 3:15 p.m.

Friday April 11 3:15 p.m.

Saturday April 12 10 a.m.

Monday April 14 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday April 16 3:15 p.m.

Thursday April 17 7 p.m.

Friday April 18 3:15 p.m.

Monday April 21 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday April 23 3:15 p.m.

Friday April 25 3:15 p.m.

Saturday April 26 10 a.m. (Red & White Game)