Kevin Allen only needed to go a few miles from his last coaching position to his first chance to be a head coach. Allen, who was the defensive coordinator at Lakeland High School last season, is now the head coach at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy.

Nansemond-Suffolk’s previous head coach, Monroe Wells, who had been with the Saints through three seasons, resigned according to NSA’s public relations coordinator Tracie Thorndike. The Saints were 2-8, 6-4 and 5-5 in the three campaigns under Wells.

Allen’s football resume includes coaching at the high school and college levels as well as playing professionally in the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League.

“It’s great coaching kids and making them into the best players they can be,” said Allen.

“This gives me the opportunity to continue coaching defense and be responsible for a whole program which is something I’ve always wanted to do.”

Allen played, mainly at defensive back, at Virginia St. University before playing one season in Canada and five seasons in Arena Football. After Allen’s last pro season, in 2001, Allen returned to Virginia St. as a coach.

More recently, Allen was an assistant at Maury High School before coming to Lakeland in Glenwood Ferebee’s first season in charge of the Cavaliers.

The new season is fast approaching and Allen’s hard at work getting his new players up to speed. He’s had the Saints working on conditioning and in the weight room for the last four weeks. As for what his philosophy will be when the first Friday night rolls around, Allen believes his overall outlook on the game will fit the limited time he has.

“I have a basic system where it’s very simple,” said Allen. “I don’t think you want to load up kids with a bunch of plays. I’m big on having everyone know a few good plays and running them well. If you have a team which executes every play it runs, it’s hard to stop that.” Allen said his defensive philosophy is very similar.

“The kids are taking to my new direction extremely well,” said Allen.

“I’m a very enthusiastic coach. I’m not one who sits back. I get into the game and I think kids like that in their coach.”

The Saints open official practices on Aug. 10 and NSA’s traditional season-opener, against Windsor, is set for Friday, Sept. 4 at Windsor.