Pike Liberal’s newest junior varsity football coach is no stranger to coaching, the school, the players or any resident of Pike County.
Probate Judge Wes Allen has been selected as the newest head football coach of the Pike Liberal Arts JV football team. Allen has been a volunteer coach in the Pike youth league for several seasons, and brings numerous years of football experience to the junior varsity team.
Allen played football collegiately at the University of Alabama in the 1990s, alongside Pike County standouts Cornelius Griffin and Quincy Jackson, and worked in the Troy athletic department before beginning his political career.  “I enjoyed my experience at Alabama, and I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of collegiate football,” Allen said. “I am looking forward to the opportunity of coaching the Pike JV team.”
Pike Liberal athletic director and varsity football head coach, Gene Allen feels the new hire is a step in the right direction for the Patriots.
“He has done a tremendous job in the two years I have been here,” Allen said.
“He is big on fundamentals, like teaching blocking and tackling. That is what you need at the junior high level. A lot of the kids have played for him in the past, and liked it. I think he will do a heck of a job.”
Allen will not draw a salary from Pike Liberal Arts, and said practices will be scheduled after his daily duties as Pike County Probate Judge are complete.
While winning ball games is important to him, Allen said he loves the game of football for a multitude of different reasons.
“Football is the greatest of all the team sports,” Allen said.
“It teaches you to get back up after getting knocked down. It also allows you to build character, work hard and teaches you to have class in victory and defeat.
“I hope to be a positive impact on the players, and we will show the utmost class in everything we do.”