Colten McCown will not return as Maiden Soccer coach; accepts job in private sector

Apr. 19—One of Jacksonville High School's most successful head coaches over the past decade, will not be returning for the 2024-25 school term.

Fightin' Maiden Soccer mentor Colten McCown will be leaving the teaching and coaching profession and will soon began a new job in sales.

"Some of my friends have been doing well with opportunities in remote sales jobs, and I thought it was time to step away and give it a try," McCown, who has led the Jacksonville girls to four-consecutive, and undefeated, district championships in the past five years, said.

During the recently completed campaign, McCown, who informed his team of his decision Tuesday, notched his 150th-career coaching victory.

"I have enjoyed my time in Jacksonville," McCown said. "There have been so many talented and hard working ladies that have been a part of the program through the years."

As far as his replacement, McCown said that he believes his assistant coach for the past three seasons, Roy Alvarez, a Jacksonville High School graduate, is ready to step up and take over the Maiden program.

"Coach Alvarez knows the game way better than I do," McCown said. "He plays soccer all the time and he is from a soccer family. The girls know him and respect him, and that is important."

Jacksonville athletic director Jason Holman said that he could not comment on McCown's departure, as he had not received a letter of resignation.

Holman did say that any in-house candidates that are interested in the position would be given full consideration for the job.

McCown was hired in the summer of 2017, after a successful coaching stint at Nacogdoches High School.