Al Bowen steps down as head football coach at Excel High

Al Bowen spent 11 seasons -- in two separate stints -- as the head football coach at Excel. 

MOBILE, Alabama -- Veteran football coach Al Bowen has stepped down as head football coach at Excel, but will remain at the school as the head basketball coach at the school in rural Monroe County.
Bowen led the Panthers through spring practice, which ended with victories over county rivals J.U. Blacksher and Monroe County in a jamboree. He told his players of his decision at the beginning of spring practice.
Assistant coaches Wes Overton and Justin Ridgeway are leading summer conditioning and weight-lifting drills for football players, Bowen said.
Bowen, 45, spent nine years as Excel’s head football coach from 1994-2002 and returned to the head football coaching job in 2009. He went 6-5 and led the Panthers to a playoff berth in 2009, before falling to 3-7 last year after moving up from AHSAA Class 2A to 3A.
Bowen compiled a 73-50 record, according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society, and made 10 playoff appearances in his 12 seasons as head coach.