By Kristin Edwards
Staff Reporter
Tue, May 13 2008
—
Huntsville High School head coach Mitchell Coey accepted the position of athletic director this month due to the removal of the department’s stand-alone director position.
The previous athletic director Mitch Allen will continue to work with the HHS athletic department as a professional liaison and will be taking over a different administrative position at the high school in the future.
“The decision was made this month to dissolve the stand-alone athletic director position,” Huntsville Independent School District superintendent Richard Montgomery said. “With finances as they are in the district, we feel that we can no longer support the position as it stands on its own.
“Basically, the motivation for this was to look for places to cut administrative costs, but this has absolutely nothing to do with Allen’s performance as athletic director.”
According to Montgomery, schools the size of Huntsville’s high school typically do not employ an athletic director who is not specifically tied to another sport.
“Typically with schools our size, you find the head coach of a sport also working as the athletic director,” he said. “This is something you see all over Texas in schools our size.”
While it is yet undetermined what position Allen will be taking over, Montgomery said there is no question that he will continue employment at the high school similar to his position as the athletic director.
“We’ll be able to move Allen to another administration position at the high school since we do have vacancies of that capacity at this time,” Montgomery said. “Allen will definitely be assuming an administrative position, and it should be clear that this has nothing to do with Allen’s performance as athletic director.
“The district appreciates Allen’s service and commitment in developing athletics in HISD. We have tremendous participation and success at all levels.”
According to Coey, Allen will be working as a liaison with the athletic department for the remainder of the semester in order to make the transition as smooth as possible.
“This is both an honor and a challenge, but I am looking forward to it,” Coey said. “Allen will still be around as a liaison, helping me bridge the gap and catching me up to speed, which I’m grateful for.
“This change is going to require a heavier workload, but I’m used to getting here at 5 a.m. and not leaving until 9 p.m., so that’s kind of my work habit, anyway.”
According to HISD administration, Coey will continue his role as head football coach, a job he has held for the past four years.
Coey, who is also currently working as head track coach at HHS, said he will continue to fulfill all of his previous responsibilities until the end of the semester.
“I will still be doing track, and there’s no way I’m giving up [football],” he said. “I’ll have three roles until track is over and then I’ll concentrate on hiring an additional person.
“I’ll still be head football coach and I’ll start looking for a track coach. I’m confident that I can find someone to take over the position, but if I can’t find someone I’m comfortable with, I’ll take it again.”
Coey said he is excited to pick up where Allen left off leading the HHS athletic department.
“I’m looking forward to this, and I know it’s a big job I’m taking on,” he said. “I’m an old Huntsville boy, I’m a homegrown Hornet, and I’m hoping I can continue with the steady improvement we’ve had these last years.
“He’s laid a good base and I’m hoping to build on it.”
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