After only five seasons as the head men’s basketball coach at Averett University, Jimmy Allen has the city of Danville excited about AU men’s basketball again. With three 20-win seasons and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, people have taken notice of the Cougars’ return to prominence.
Averett won three USA South Conference Tournament title in a row and made its third consecutive NCAA appearance in 2009. The Cougars advanced to second round with a win over host Centre College in the first round. Averett finished the season 20-10.
Averett posted a school-best 20-7 record in 2006-07, en route to the team’s first USA South Conference Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance since 1990. Then, in 2007-08, the Cougars posted a less-than-impressive 14-15 record. However, despite the sub-500 record, the Cougar’s had an inspired performance in the conference tournament and posting three wins in a row (including an overtime semifinal game) to take their second conference tournament championship in a row and NCAA Tournament berth.
Allen has a career record of 87-54 after five seasons, which calculates to a winning percentage of .624. He led Averett to a 20-8 mark and a share of the USA South Conference regular season championship in 2005-06, and went 13-14 during his first year – the 2004-05 season. The 13 wins were an incredible feat, considering that Averett was 0-25 the year prior to his arrival.
For three straight seasons, Allen’s teams have been selected by their peers in the USA South Conference as the winners of the Sportsmanship Award. In May of 2007, the team was also presented with the Community Youth Service Award by the Dan River Center for Voluntarism. In 2008, the team received recognition from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Danville.
Named the USA South Conference Coach of the Year three times, (2005, 2007 and 2008), Allen has developed 11 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. In addition, 18 of his players have been selected to the All-Academic Team.
Before coming to Averett, Allen spent two seasons as the associate head coach at Wofford College under Mike Young. While serving on the Terriers' staff, Allen helped guide the program to their most successful season since joining Division I. In fact, the team posted 14 wins against what the RPI judged to be the nation's toughest non-conference schedule.
Prior to his stint at Wofford, Allen was an assistant coach under legendary head coach Don DeVoe at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. from 1996 to 2002. While assisting on DeVoe's staff, Allen helped lead the Midshipmen to Patriot League Championships and NCAA Tournament berths in 1997 and 1998. Navy enjoyed three 20-win seasons and a pair of 19-win seasons during his six-year tenure.
Allen's first coaching position came at his alma mater of Emory & Henry College under Bob Johnson where he served from 1993 to 1996.
Not only a successful coach, Allen also enjoyed a very successful collegiate playing career at Emory & Henry. He was a four-year starter at the point guard position and holds the program's record with 117 consecutive games played. Allen also ranks second among the Wasp all-time assist leaders.
Allen played in four consecutive NCAA Tournaments, while Emory & Henry advanced to the “Sweet 16” twice and enjoyed four 20-win seasons. He graduated in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He was inducted into the Emory & Henry Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
In high school, he played basketball under two-time Virginia High School Coach of the Year Bill Pope at Northside High School in Roanoke. Allen and his wife, Katie, reside in Danville with their son, James.
Allen's Career Coaching Record At Averett
2009-10: 10-16 (6-6)
2008-09: 20-10 (10-2), USA South Regular Season & Tournament
title, NCAA Second Round
2007-08: 14-15 (5-7), USA South Tournament title, NCAA berth
2006-07: 20-7 (9-3), USA South Regular Season & Tournament title,
NCAA berth
2005-06: 20-8 (9-3), USA South Regular Season title
2004-05: 13-14 (6-6)
