Today, Arnold High School in Panama City Beach, Florida, is buzzing with excitement! They’ve just announced that Loren Tillman will take over as the new athletic director starting next school year. With over 30 years of experience in panhandle athletics under his belt, Tillman is no stranger to the local sports scene. He has previously served as the athletic director at several schools, including Rutherford High School, Vernon High School, Wewahitchka High School, and Deane Bozeman School. Talk about a wealth of experience!
Joining him is Amber Smith, who has been appointed as the assistant athletic director. Amber has been part of the district since 2018, wearing many hats as a physical education teacher, an assistant softball coach, and the head girls soccer coach. It sounds like the two are set to make a dynamic duo! Principal Dr. Todd Mitchell had high praises for both Tillman and Smith, commending Tillman for his extensive experience and leadership, while lauding Smith for her passion and commitment to student-athletes.
Experience That Counts
Loren Tillman’s journey in athletics has been quite remarkable. He’s not just an athletic director; he’s spent a significant part of his career as a head football coach at various schools in the area since 2000. This includes stints at Vernon, Rutherford, Wewahitchka, and Bozeman. Over the years, he’s coached a staggering 11 different sports! That’s right—five female sports and six male sports! Now he’s ready to shift gears and focus on the complete athletic program, without the demands of coaching one specific team. It’s a new chapter for him, and he’s really looking forward to it.
Interestingly, before landing at Arnold High School, Tillman spent the last school year at Rosenwald, which is where he kicked off his teaching and coaching career back in 1995. Talk about coming full circle! His background and experience will surely benefit the student-athletes at Arnold High School.
Transitioning Leadership
The previous athletic director, Rick Green, retired at the end of the 2025-2026 school year after an impressive 19 years with the Marlins. That’s a long time to be dedicated to one community! With Green’s retirement, there’s a big pair of shoes to fill, but it seems like Tillman and Smith are ready for the challenge. It’s always tough to see someone leave, especially someone who’s made such a significant impact, but with fresh leadership comes new opportunities.
As the community of Panama City Beach welcomes Loren Tillman and Amber Smith into their new roles, there’s a palpable sense of optimism in the air. The school spirit is alive and well, and students, parents, and staff alike are eager to see how the new athletic leadership will shape the future of athletics at Arnold High School. Stay tuned, because it looks like exciting times are ahead!
For more details, check out the full story here. You can also find additional insights here.