Why would a D-I coach take a paycut for a job at a small university in southwest Virginia? You'll find the answer in This Conversation with Emory & Henry's new head basketball coach Jimmy Allen.

According to Emory & Henry news:

"Jimmy Allen ’93 has been selected as the next Head Men’s Basketball Coach. Allen returns to his alma mater with 31 years of coaching experience and a career head coaching record of 195-182 in 13 seasons.

A four-year letterwinner for the Wasps between 1989-93 under legendary head coach Bob Johnson, Allen led the Wasps to four-straight NCAA Division III Tournament berths including a Sweet 16 appearance as a senior. He was inducted into the Emory & Henry Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. Allen received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in accounting from E&H in 1993.

Allen joins the E&H staff after spending the 2023-24 season as the Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of New Hampshire alongside head coach Nathan Davis who was part of Johnson’s staff at Emory & Henry in 1997-98.

Before his time in Durham, N.H., Allen was the head coach for Army West Point for seven seasons. In Allen’s last four seasons, he guided Army to a 59-57 overall record and a 36-32 Patriot League record, which signified the first four-year class to graduate with a winning league record since Army joined the Patriot League in 1979. The Black Knights won 17 games in Allen’s final season at Army – the second most wins since 1978. "

Mentioned in this episode:

WEHC 90.7 FM is the Voice of Southwest Virginia.