After a thorough search, Arcadia didn't go far in finding its new football coach.
Lenn Abt, a longtime assistant who was the school's interim coach in 2012, will guide the Titans' program going forward, according to an email from school principal John Biera.
Abt has been coaching football in Arizona for the past 17 years, having previously spent 10 years at Chaparral and five years at Pinnacle before eventually being the offensive coordinator at Arcadia under Ellison.
Arcadia was 4-6 last year after Abt took over late in the summer following a controversial resignation by Ellison, the school's longtime coach who led the Titans to the 4A Division II state semifinals in 2011.
"We have reached this decision after a thorough search that resulted in a number of strong candidates being considered," Biera wrote. "Because so many qualified coaches applied this was not an easy decision. We appreciate the outstanding efforts of Coach Abt and his staff last year and look forward to the upcoming season."
Arcadia's hire leaves Gilbert, Mesquite and Apache Junction among known East Valley schools still looking for new football coaches.
Mark Heller is the East Valley Tribune sports editor. He can be reached at mheller@evtrib.com or (480) 898-6576.
