BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — After a 35-31 loss to Purdue University Saturday, Indiana University has parted ways with football coach Tom Allen.
13Sports Director Dave Calabro confirmed through sources that Allen was fired Sunday after seven seasons with the Hoosiers.
The now ex-Hoosiers coach built up a record of 33-49.
In a statement released Sunday afternoon, IU vice president and director of athletics Scott Dolson confirmed the decision.
“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.”
Allen had previously signed a 7-year contract in 2019 that listed a buyout of over $20 million.
Allen spent his first four seasons leading the Hoosiers up the Big Ten standings, a rise that culminated in back-to-back bowl games in 2020 and their highest ranking (No. 12) in the final AP Top 25 poll since finishing fourth in 1967. Indiana finished 6-2 in 2020, the pandemic-shortened season when stadiums were empty, and Allen was named Big Ten and AFCA national coach of the year.
Since then, though, Allen's progress has been derailed.
Indiana went 2-10 in 2021 with a winless mark in league play, then followed that with a 4-8 record last season and 3-9 this year as Allen's teams went 3-24 against Big Ten teams.
He went 33-49 in his only head coaching job, including 0-3 in bowl games after being promoted from defensive coordinator as Kevin Wilson's replacement following the 2016 regular season.
Allen lost his first game to Utah in the 2016 Foster Farms Bowl.
He grew up in New Castle, Indiana, the son of a high school football coach and started his own coaching career at the prep level in Florida and Indiana. His made college stops at Wabash, Lambuth, Drake, Arkansas State, Mississippi and South Florida before returning to his home state.
The IU football team will now search for its third new coach in the past 13 years.
13News has reached out to Indiana University Athletics for comment.
