Kyle Routon Named Arab Knights Interim Head Football Coach Following Lee Ozmint’s Resignation
Arab, AL – Kyle Routon has been named the Arab Knights interim head football coach, following the resignation of former coach Lee Ozmint. Ozmint’s resignation was officially accepted by the Arab City School Board during a special called meeting at 11 a.m. Friday morning.
The move comes in the wake of Ozmint’s arrest on charges related to the distribution or solicitation of obscene material to a student under the age of 19 while being employed by the school. Following his arrest on Thursday, Ozmint was subsequently released from the Arab City Jail upon posting bond.
Routon, who has been an integral part of the Knights’ coaching staff, will fill the interim position as the search for a new head coach begins. Aside from his role on the gridiron, Routon has served as the Knights head varsity wrestling coach since 2020, most recently leading the powerhouse Arab wrestling program to an AHSAA Class 5A-6A wrestling duals state championship in 2022.
During his tenure with the Knights, Routon helped guide Arab to their most successful run in program history.
Before coming to Arab, the Southside native and Jacksonville State University alum, began his coaching career at Southside High School in Gadsden. He served as both the Panthers head wrestling coach and an assistant football coach from 2009 to 2018, in addition to taking on the role of head softball coach for a season. His coaching track then took him to Oxford High School, where he spent two years as the head wrestling coach and an assistant for the football team, helping lead the Yellow Jackets to a Class 6A state football championship in 2019.
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The Knights are coming off an 8-3 run in 2023 highlighted by their second consecutive Marshall County championship and a trip to the first round of the AHSAA postseason.
Looking ahead, Arab will join Boaz, Brewer, Douglas, Guntersville, and Scottsboro in a redrawn Class 5A, Region 8. They will kick off their 2024 campaign on the road at Class 7A Albertville on August 22nd.
Cover Photo: Arab interim head football coach Kyle Routon during the Knights loss to Guntersville in 2020 at the Arab City Schools SportsPlex. (Brant Berry | PrepsNet)
