Allen works a new field
Oviedo’s football coach is moving from the sidelines to the grandstands for the foreseeable future.
Wes Allen stepped down from his head coaching role after nine seasons Monday upon accepting a sales job in the private sector. He’ll work for a company that installs artificial turf sports fields.
“He’s excited about a new opportunity, and we’re excited for him,” Oviedo athletic director Jakob Jarzynka said. “But we’re sad to see him go. Wes did good things for our program and he left it better than what it was before, just like Greg Register did before him.”
Allen went 63-36 since taking over for Register in 2008. He previously spent five seasons as an assistant with the Lions.
Although Allen embraces the new challenges of a career change, he said the move does not signal the end of his coaching career and that his family will remain in the Oviedo area.
“The opportunity that’s been presented to me is just too good to pass up for my family and for myself,” said Allen, who has a 3-year-old son. “It’s extremely hard to walk away from Oviedo High School, where I spent 14 years of my life.”
Oviedo won five district titles under Allen, the first of which came in 2009 as Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles wrapped up a stellar prep career.
“There’s been a lot of wins, a lot of great players, a lot of great people and great fans,” Allen said. “I told our principal and our players, ‘It’s not like I’m going to some other school to compete against you.’ I’m going to be the biggest Oviedo fan in the world.”