Austin assistant football coach Josh LouAllen has been recommended for head football coach at Danville High School but his appointment is pending approval of the Morgan County School Board.

Superintendent Bill Hopkins Jr. said LouAllen was recommended by Danville High School Principal Pat Smith before the school board’s last regular meeting July 10. However, he pointed out he is not permitted by law to make a recommendation to the board to fill a personnel vacancy until the job has been posted for a minimum of 14 days.

The head coaching position opened June 30 when John Jacobs, who replaced 2013 football coach Scott Curd, resigned unexpectedly due to health reasons. He had been on the job for only a few weeks.

The job was posted immediately and Smith began taking applications and conducting interviews. His recommendation for a replacement was forwarded to Hopkins before the board’s acceptance of Jacobs’ resignation July 10.

Hopkins said he is looking for a convenient time when the board can meet in a special called session to consider LouAllen’s recommendation.

“I was looking for an established football coach, not necessarily one with head coaching experience,” said Smith. “Josh (LouAllen) has a broad background of coaching experience under some highly respected head coaches. He knows the game well and has the ability to communicate effectively with young people. I believe he is the person we need to move our football program forward.”

LouAllen, 37, is a graduate of Lawrence County High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Athens State University.

He has served in his present position for three years and before that was an assistant football coach and head baseball coach at Deshler High School, where he received Shoals Coach of the Year honors in 2010. He also was a football assistant coach at Lawrence County High School.