Indiana has fired football coach Tom Allen, the program announced Sunday. Allen, 53, went 33-49 overall with the Hoosiers and 18-43 in the Big Ten. Indiana ended this season 3-9 after a 35-31 loss to Purdue on Saturday.
His buyout was around $20.8 million guaranteed before Dec. 1, making it the third-largest in college football history. The program, however, said both sides have agreed to a financial settlement of two payments of $7.75 million.
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Allen, who spent one season as IU’s defensive coordinator in 2016 before taking over the program following Kevin Wilson’s firing, led the Hoosiers to their first eight-win season in 26 years in 2019 and followed it up with a 6-2 record during the shortened 2020 season. But Indiana is just 9-27 over the last three seasons and 3-24 in the Big Ten during that span. The Hoosiers have finished with a losing record in 14 of the last 16 seasons.
“After continued evaluation of our entire football program, I have determined that we have lost momentum and that a change in leadership is necessary at this time,” Indiana Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson said in a statement. “I want to thank Tom for all of the contributions he has made to IU in his seven years leading our program. His passion, character, and class made a positive impact on our student-athletes. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”
This is arguably the toughest job in the Big Ten and one of the toughest in the Power 5. It will only get harder in the new Big Ten. The last 14 Indiana coaches have left with a losing record. Still, it’s a Big Ten job that can pay, and there are only a handful of those in the sport.
Some potential names to watch include Toledo coach Jason Candle, Tulane coach Willie Fritz, South Alabama coach Kane Wommack, Western Kentucky coach Tyson Helton, Ohio State associate head coach Justin Frye, Colorado offensive coordinator Sean Lewis and New Mexico State coach Jerry Kill. — Chris Vannini, college football staff writer
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Feldman's coaching candidates to replace Tom Allen at Indiana
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(Photo: Marc Lebryk / USA Today)
