Dunn named assistant head coach at Ariton

Published 3:00 am Saturday, June 24, 2017

Chuck Dunn’s second stint as defensive coordinator of Charles Henderson has come to a close.

After spending two seasons with the Trojans, Dunn will become assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Ariton High School.

Dunn will be joining the staff of former Pike Lib coach and Troy native Steven Kilcrease.

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“I am very excited,” Dunn said. “Ariton is a great program. When you look at Ariton, they have a 65 percent all-time winning percentage, which is really good for Alabama football. The head coach and I are close friends and during our entire coaching careers we have wanted to work together.”

Last season Ariton finished 6-5 and lost in the opening round of post-season play.

“Ariton has some good football tradition,” Dunn said. “They lost to Leroy in the playoffs last year. They were a very young team, and we have a young team coming back again this year. We have some veterans that had a lot of playing time last year.”

Dunn’s defenses allowed on average 28 points per game in 2015 and just over 21 points per game in 2016. He has opportunity to improve Ariton’s performance. The Purple Cats surrendered just over 27 points per game in 2016.

“It’s just another challenge that I love,” Dunn said. “Number one, they want to be great. You have a bunch of guys that will run through a brick wall for you and I am excited to win a state championship with having a great defense.”

Dunn also will take over as head coach of the varsity girls’ basketball team. Dunn coached basketball in 1994 at Pike Liberal Arts before heading to Troy University.

“I am very excited,” Dunn said. “I have always had a passion for basketball. They have their whole team returning.  They lost in the regionals and last year they were 22-4.”

Dunn coached three seasons and the thing he will remember most about his time at Troy will be the athletes and the connections he had with his students.

“All the male and female athletes hold a special peace of my heart,” Dunn said. “I appreciate every ounce of work in the weight room that every athlete put in. Those relationships will continue. I have been in contact with several of them this summer.”

Dunn and Ariton will be in the news this upcoming season when they host both Goshen and Zion Chapel in 2017.