Dave Bliss Named AD, HC & Dean at Allen Academy in Bryan,TX

[MrMustang1965]

BRYAN -- Allen Academy, the oldest private school in Texas, announced Friday the addition of Dave Bliss as Athletic Director, Dean of Students, and Varsity Men’s Basketball Coach. Allen Academy competes in ten sports (men and women) in the prestigious Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS). John Rouse, Allen’s Head of School, stated “Bliss was Allen’s top choice from an extensive list of strong candidates from throughout the region. He is a testament to the commitment we have to maintaining our position as one of the best college preparatory schools in the southwest. ” Mr. Rouse went on to say that Bliss was approved unanimously at the May 5th Board of Trustees meeting chaired by Dr. Jerry Bullin.

Bliss, who received both his undergraduate degree and an MBA from Cornell University has been a Division One basketball coach at the University of Oklahoma (1975-80), Southern Methodist University (1980-88), the University of New Mexico (1988-99), and Baylor University (1999-2003). In his career, he has won 526 games and participated in sixteen post-season tournaments. His most recent coaching venture was leading Team USA (Athletes in Action) to a second place finish in the 2008 Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan. Since then Bliss has been promoting his Game Plan Ministries, a coaches program aimed at helping coaches and players deal with the immense pressures to win at all costs.


When asked about his new position at Allen, Bliss stated “I am excited about the return to working with young people. From the moment I laid eyes on Allen, I was impressed with the positive environment, and the history of the school. The opportunity of working with John Rouse and the Trustees, as well as the coaches, parents, and students only enhanced that feeling. This is a great time to be at Allen and our goal is to provide an athletic program commensurate with the great academics.”

Dennis Goehring, a former Trustee of Allen Academy who currently serves as the Executive Director of the Bryan Business Council, praised Allen for hiring Dave Bliss. “I’ve known Dave for a long time and he is a great coach and a great Christian. He made a bad decision and has suffered tremendous consequences as a result. I commend the Board and John Rouse on a great choice. He is a great asset for the school.”

Lynn Hickey Former Lady Aggie coach and current UTSA Athletic Director stated the following. “I have known Dave Bliss since 1978 when he was the men’s head coach at the University of Oklahoma, and I was first-year assistant with the Oklahoma women’s program. I’ve always admired him as a coach and administrator. He is a great teacher of the game and very personable and caring as a person. What happened at Baylor was an unfortunate situation in an otherwise sterling career.

During this past year, Dave has been to our campus numerous times to visit with our administration and coaches, and to speak to our Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle. I have been very impressed with his message and his sincerity. He wants to be of assistance to both coaches and young people - - he wants to give back to others. Coach Bliss will be a very positive asset to the Bryan/College Station community and campus at Allen Academy. This job will be equally rewarding for both Dave and the young people he touches.”

Ed Burleson, President of TAPPS, commended Allen on the appointment as well. “I expect that Dave Bliss will use his background and experience to make a very positive impact on the students, faculty, and the families at Allen Academy.”

Dr. Robert Sloan previously President of Baylor and now President at
Houston Baptist University said the following:

“Dave Bliss’s story is one that is marked by great success, followed by personal and professional failures (NCAA infractions). But those serious mistakes are not the last chapter in Dave’s life.”

“For the last seven years, Dave Bliss has worked openly and tirelessly to help others – coaches, players, and anyone who would listen – to avoid the painful tragedies he was part of.”

“Dave Bliss has rediscovered why he went into coaching to start with: to help young people be successful adults, people of character and worthy accomplishments. His has been a journey of loss and a slow, painstaking path toward recovery and service. Dave’s experiences of failure are as old as the human race; but his willingness to turn his story into good for others is very inspiring.”

“I commend Allen Academy for hiring Dave Bliss. I admire Dave for his desire to help others. The real measure of Dave Bliss’s career will be found not in the scandal of the past, but in the service he has been doing for several years, and the work that he will do in the future, to mold the lives of young men and women toward discipline, character, and moral courage.”

http://www.kbtx.com/sports/headlines/93 ... ml?ref=494

[Wuba]

Wow

[max the wonder dog]

I believe in forgiveness and redemption, but this still seems kinda creepy.

[Fresh]

Dean of Students? Good god.

I would withdraw my child from that school immediately.

[sbsmith]

After what this guy did at Baylor he shouldn't be in any position to influence youngsters ever again.

[Corso]

This is one case in which I'm really glad he's not referred to as "former SMU coach ...."

[ponyscott]

This is one case in which I'm really glad he's not referred to as "former SMU coach ...."

Thats right...but lets give him a break...he has paid for it and made a huge error in judgement but he probably is a good guy really. I hope it all works out for him as he deserves another chance.

[RGV Pony]

This is one case in which I'm really glad he's not referred to as "former SMU coach ...."

Thats right...but lets give him a break...he has paid for it and made a huge error in judgement but he probably is a good guy really. I hope it all works out for him as he deserves another chance.

have to say I agree. Not sure about the good guy part...he could be a horse's [deleted] for all I know. But he deserves a second chance, IMO.

[ponyscott]

This is one case in which I'm really glad he's not referred to as "former SMU coach ...."

Thats right...but lets give him a break...he has paid for it and made a huge error in judgement but he probably is a good guy really. I hope it all works out for him as he deserves another chance.

have to say I agree. Not sure about the good guy part...he could be a horse's [deleted] for all I know. But he deserves a second chance, IMO.

He really is a nice guy as I knew him back in the SMU days and several SMU alums are still friendly with him today. He made a huge error in judgement and will never live it down, but he deserves a chance to coach again and he will be a good character as well.