Averett University Cougars

DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University head men’s basketball coach Jimmy Allen has stepped down to take an assistant coaching position at Division I Army.

Allen’s teams posted a 97-70 record during his six years 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).

Off the court, Allen’s teams were just as successful. Through his first five seasons, 18 of his players were selected to the All-Academic Team. In addition, his players made many service contributions to the Danville community. Allen’s teams were selected by their peers in the USA South Conference as the winners of the Sportsmanship Award four times. The team was also presented with the 2007 Community Youth Service Award by the Dan River Center for Voluntarism and in 2008, his team received recognition from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Danville. In October, Allen added the role of Assistant Athletics Director for Community Outreach.

“We are extremely grateful for all of Jimmy’s hard work on behalf of Averett University over the past six years,” Averett Director of Athletics 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 the United States Military Academy. 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 College and he was an assistant at the United States Naval Academy from 1996 to 2002.

“I have truly bittersweet feelings about James' departure,” said Charles Harris, Averett’s Executive Vice President and former Director of Athletics. “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.”