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17 By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor
The next coach to take the reins of Westlake’s football program knows a little about living up to a legacy of success.
Darren Allman, the head football coach for Odessa Permian since 2005, will become Westlake’s new head football coach and the Eanes school district athletic director after unanimous approval by the Eanes school board Wednesday.
Allman, 39, has three young children, and he cited the district’s reputation for excellence in academics and athletics for his acceptance of the position.
“It’s a special place, just like the one I’m leaving now,” Allman said. “The community expects success on the field and in the classroom, and it’s the type of community I’ve always liked to be in.
“It’s hard to leave here, but [Westlake] is the total package for me as a father and a football coach.”
The school board did not discuss Allman’s salary.
The hire capped a fast-paced job search since Derek Long announced his retirement Jan. 29. Eanes received a flurry of applicants for the position, including a handful of prominent coaches with championship experience. The interview process narrowed the search down to three candidates, including Allman and current assistant coach Steve Ramsey. Because of his success at high-profile programs, Eanes superintendent Nola Wellman said Allman has all the ingredients to succeed at Westlake.
“It’s not the wins and losses that matter most,” Wellman said. “It’s the quality of the person and how he values the program. Darren is an outstanding person and an outstanding coach. He’s the best young coach in the state, and we’re very, very happy to have him.”
Wellman cited Allman’s commitment to academics as well as his success as a coach as pivotal to the hire.
Allman’s achievements on the football field includes four years at Permian, perhaps the most high-profile prep football program in the nation after the release of the book “Friday Night Lights” in 1989 and a subsequent film and television series. Allman, a Permian graduate who played for two state finalists teams, rebuilt a program that had slipped into mediocrity. He tallied a 38-11 record in his four seasons, including consecutive 12-1 seasons in 2007 and 2008.
This season, the Panthers lost to eventual state champion Allen 28-22 in the third round.
Allman worked as an assistant at several other notable schools, including a one-year stint in Temple and eight years in Brownwood’s successful program. He served as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Highland Park before taking the Permian job.
Allman will bring several coaches with him to Westlake, but said the details have not been completed.
Allman will become the seventh head coach in Westlake history.
I am highly pissed that Coach Allman going to abandon our program. Damnit! Damnit! Damnit!
My son David spoke at the public Board meeting tonight on behalf of Steve Ramsey–the boys loved playing for him! It’s sad that Steve Ramsey didn’t get the job, but it sounds like Coach Allman will fit in well w/ our school and our community. Go Chaps!!
Westlake got a good one.
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I am sure Coach Allman is going to be great, but lets not kid ourselves, this is Westlake and winning does matter.
Outstanding job breaking the story, Thomas Jones!
Why is his salary over 110k? I know this from a very good inside source.
Im totally shocked and thank goodness my childern dont go to Westlake. Thats more than your Chief of police makes!!
Salary is greater than the Chief of Police? Last time I checked 4,000 people didn’t pay to watch the Chief of Police manage…
Finally, an opportunity for a player to be chosen for a starting position based on his talent and not on his parents influence, politics, his position as a “legacy” player or who his brother was. This is a great day in the history of Westlake Football. I can see the stadium filling and a new TRADITION beginning. Thank you Dr. Willman and all the board who saw the LIGHT!!!!!
(Chapfan) That just might be the most ignorant comment ever made onn the internet. Last I checked Odessa Permian had a few more State Championships to boast than the Westlake Chaps. (I checked this morning) Perhaps you should research before you post such comments. Permian High School has the richest history in Texas High School football. When it comes to winning there is no school in the state with higher expectations. BAR NONE! Allman will no doubt turn your program around. Yes around, you were 6-4 last year right?
MOJOFEVER, I was referring to the comment made by Dr. Wellman, “It’s not the wins and losses that matter most”. I was not taking a shot at Permian.
MOJOFEVER – Actually Westlake was 9-5 last year, and went further in the playoffs than Permian. That being said, good luck in your coaching search. Permian is a premiere job, and will attract numerous excellent candidates.
HOW MANY COACHES ARE COMING WITH HIM
4 so far.
For the unfootball savy, I was refering to the regular season record. I would hope you would have made it further in the playoffs last year. We play in the toughest quarter of the draw. The last 5 state champions have come from our quarter and for the last three years we have lost to the eventual state champion. (Southlake, Euless, and Allen). Allman is not a big game coach. Enjoy all the 3rd round playoff losses he will earn you. GO CHAPS!
Hey MOJOFEVER, WAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
get a life and comment on your own local newspaper mojofever…geez louise get over it