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BLOOMINGTON, Ind.–Indiana University fired its Head Football Coach Tom Allen on Sunday.
After making it to bowl games in 2019 and 2020, IU football has gone 9-27 in the last three seasons, including 3-23 in Big Ten play. Allen’s overall record at Indiana was 33-49 including 0-3 in bowl games.
Allen made his head coaching debut in the 2016 Foster Farms Bowl after Kevin Wilson resigned. The Hoosiers lost that game to Utah 26-24.
On Sunday, Indiana fell to Purdue 35-31. It’s the third straight time in the series that Purdue has beaten Indiana.
Allen’s crowning achievement at Indiana was the 2020 season, which was shortened by COVID. That year, IU finished 6-2 and eventually lost to Ole Miss in The Outback Bowl 26-20. Allen was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year that season as well as the AFCA Coach of the Year.
Allen had previously signed a 7-year contract in 2019 that listed a buyout of $20 million.
“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. 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. The university and Allen have agreed on a financial settlement of two $7.75 million installments that will be paid through the department of athletics donor funds,” said Indiana University Athletic Director Scott Dolson in a statement on Sunday.
Before coming to Indiana, Allen had coached at Ben Davis High School, Marion High School. At the college level, Allen had various assistant coaching roles at Drake, South Florida, Arkansas State, and Ole Miss.
Indiana is looking for its third head football coach in the last 13 years.
