By By Arthur McLean
Escambia Academy welcomed its new Athletic Director to Atmore Monday night.
Jason Allen was hired earlier this month to replace Chad Prewett, EA's outgoing athletic director and head basketball coach.
Prewett led EA's boys and girl's basketball teams to state championships this year, but has since taken a position with Faith Academy in Mobile.
Allen hails from Lafayette, where he coached football and baseball at Lanett High School. Before that, he spent four years as the athletic director for Chambers Academy in Lafayette, also serving as the school's head football coach and baseball coach.
"We were coming through town on vacation to visit her parents, and we heard about the position. We found out the day before we were to be in Atmore that they wanted to interview me," Allen said.
Allen will move to the area with his wife Mindee, who is from Atmore. Many people may remember her as Mindee Green. Mindee Allen will also work at EA teaching second grade.
In addition to his duties as athletic director, Allen will also serve as the school's basketball coach. He said he also plans to offer his help to Heath Gibson, EA's head football coach. Allen led Chambers Academy to the state finals in football during his tenure there.
"The reception here has been great," Allen said. "The people of Escambia Academy are very nice. It's a good Christian environment, and they take athletics seriously here. My goal is for our teams to compete for championships here."
Roy White, who is a school board member and member of the school's search committee, said Allen's hiring is the end of a two-month search. "Jason is a leader with strong moral conviction and he's a winner as a coach," White said.
"We're happy to have him here," White said. "I think he's what we need here. While Coach Prewett was a great success, there's no reason Jason can't do the same, and we excited to have him here."