Albemarle head football coach Mike Alley is stepping away from the program.
The Patriots’ head coach is moving back into full-time youth ministry outreach, something he’s done for years and is getting a chance to expand into a full-time role. Alley informed the team today in a program-wide meeting.
“He’s such a good guy,” said Albemarle athletic director Deb Tyson. “He’s following that calling.”
Since 2010 under Alley, the Patriots have transformed from an 0-10 record in 2009, the year before he took the job, into a playoff squad this season. The bulk of the turnaround in the win column came this year, as Albemarle moved into the Jefferson District and managed to knock off Monticello for the first time since 2006. During their stretch in the powerful Commonwealth under Alley, the Patriots went 6-23 as they rebuilt a program that had some significant struggles. This year they equaled that win total with a 6-5 mark.
This year’s trip to the playoffs was the first since 2003. The Patriots fell 24-23 to Falls Church on the road in the opening round of the 5A North tournament.
“He’ll be with us until the end of the year, but for now we’re on the hunt,” Tyson said.
From the letter sent home via principal Jay Thomas and Tyson to Albemarle football parents and emailed by ACPS’ communications office:
“(Alley) got it right from the beginning—the key to building something meaningful starts with instilling respect for a set of values that our entire school community can honor. Mike’s emphasis was on character development before skill development and it worked wonders.”
The letter explains that the opening will be posted online immediately and adds:
“Please know that every possible effort will be made to hire the best candidate in order to continue the groundwork that Mike and his staff have started for our young men.”
