Averett head men's basketball coach Jimmy Allen has stepped down to take an assistant coaching position at Division I Army.
Allen's teams went 97-70 at Averett. He took over a program that went 0-25 the season prior to his arrival and led it to three 20-win seasons, three USA South Conference regular-season titles, three conference tournament championships and three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2009, the Cougars advanced to the NCAA second round for only the second time in school history.
"This is an emotional decision for me because of the experiences that I have enjoyed at Averett and the wonderful people here," Allen said. "I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to be the head basketball coach for the last six years. I have developed incredible friendships and appreciate the tremendous support that both myself and our basketball program has been given. I am grateful to the players that have worked so hard to build Averett basketball into something special and I am proud of what we have accomplished."
Named the USA South Conference Coach of the Year three times (2005, 2007 and 2008), Allen has developed 13 all-conference performers at Averett, as well as one Division III First-Team All-American, a USA South Player of the Year and a USA South Rookie of the Year. Allen leaves Averett as the program's leader in overall wins (97) and conference wins (45).
"We are extremely grateful for all of Jimmy's hard work on behalf of Averett University over the past six years," Averett athletic director Sam Ferguson said. "His commitment made a remarkable impact on our men's basketball program, the athletics department, and even extended into the city of Danville. His student-athletes were champions on the court and in the community. His focus was not only on winning, but also on producing quality young men. He managed to do both. We will miss him, as will the organizations he served. We wish the best for him and his family as they begin this new chapter in their life."
Allen will join second-year head coach Zach Spiker's staff at Army. Prior to taking the head coaching job at Averett, Allen was an assistant at several Division I schools. Allen spent two seasons as the associate head coach at Wofford and he was an assistant at Navy from 1996 to 2002.
"I have truly bittersweet feelings about James' departure," said Charles Harris, Averett's executive vice president and former athletic director. "He was the first person that I hired when I got to Averett. He has proved to be an extraordinary coach and mentor. He and Katie have represented us well on campus and in the community, I think we all know they are welcome to make Danville home forever. By the same token, I have always appreciated his desire and aspiration to compete on a larger stage.
"I can think of few places that are better suited for him to pursue his professional goals than the United States Military Academy. I can only wish the Allen family the best and thank them for all they have done for Averett."