Dean to lead new Panthers

Story by Griffin Pritchard | Publisher

CENTRAL ALABAMA SCOREBOARD OFFICE — Norman Dean spent 13 seasons coaching up Panthers and taking them to the postseason before the talent pool ran dry. After resigning his floppy hat to the next man up in Eclectic, he banged around as a coordinator with stops at T.R. Miller and Trinity Presbyterian. But, as of March 1, he’ll be back in Elmore County and, coaching up a group of Panthers to their playoff potential. 

But – there’s a difference. Dean was hired to be the new head football coach at Prattville Christian Academy, a hiring announced via press release February 19.  

“We are very excited to have Coach Dean take over as the head of our football program,” said PCA’s Athletic Director Tara Osborne, in a press release. “HE has been success as not only a head coach, but an assistant coach at some powerful programs and we feel that he has what it takes to make our program competitive.”

Dean replaces Jeremy Carter and inherits a program that has finished a combined 13-39 since 2016. 

But Dean has the ability to build and maintain programs. At Elmore County, he posted a 78-63 mark and took five teams to the playoffs. In 2007 he was named Metro Coach of the Year and has been invited to coach in the All-Star game during Sports Week.

Dean, according to the release: “Winning is important, it’s the object of the game, yet if we compromise our standards in order to win, we have failed. I am committed not only to the athletic success of our players but also to their academic and spiritual success. The goal of the program I wish to build is to focus on the ultimate victory of preparing these young men for success as adults. Today’s student-athletes will be tomorrow’s husbands, fathers and community leaders.”

PCA families, according to the release, are invited to a meet and greet with Dean and his family February 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the gym. All attendees are required to follow PCA’s Covid-19 guidelines while on campus for the event. 

School President Dr. Ron Mitchell speaks highly of the new hire: “Coach Dean is an experienced and well-known football coach in Alabama. We feel that this hire will continue to move our athletic program forward as we work to build Christian student-athletes who work hard and compete in highly-competitive athletic programs.”

Along with head coaching duties, Dean will serve as the newly minted Director of Football Operations and Director of the Strength and Conditioning Program.