Indiana University Athletics
Allen Believes in Mentality Over Scheme
8/30/2016 4:54:00 PM | Football
By: Charlie Duffy
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After much anticipation it is finally game week for the Indiana football program. The grind of offseason workouts, spring practice and fall camp has subsided. For the first time in over eight months the team is watching film in preparation for an opponent they do not share a locker room with.
"It is always good to get into game week mode, and get our guys focused on playing someone else," defensive coordinator Tom Allen said. "I think they are tired of hitting each other. I am excited to get this season rolling."
Coach Allen has brought a different standard to the defensive unit. They will play with a higher level of tenacity, confidence and trust than ever before. His passion for the game and for developing his players is evident by anyone who has been around the team's practices since he was hired in January.
"Overall, for me, it is believing in what we are doing with the system, believing in what we are building in the mentality of our guys and the way they have practiced and performed each day," Allen said. "We have really worked hard on developing those good habits."
The other big change that Allen has brought over is the defensive scheme. This year Indiana will utilize the 4-2-5 in base packages. But to Allen, the scheme does not matter nearly as much as the mentality of the players.
"Mentality," Allen said. "I do not think the scheme is anything special. If there was a special scheme, everybody would be teaching the same thing. It is way more important to coach a mentality. I think it is more important to teach these kids to believe in themselves and the people around them. They have got to make plays. I have not tackled anyone in 24 years, not legally anyway."
Along with that mentality comes loving your teammates. The defense takes this to heart with the acronym L.E.O., which stands for Love Each Other.
"When there is a brotherhood of genuine love and concern for each other, that makes a difference," Allen said. "It makes a difference in how hard you practice or if you are willing to spend the time to watch some extra film. It is the overall environment of accountability. It is built into the culture of how we live. For me, it is about getting these guys to be a close knit, strongly bound group of guys that truly love each other."
The linebackers will be a vital component to the defensive unit. Coach Allen demands excellence from this position, after all they are the quarterback of the defense. With returning letterwinners Marcus Oliver, Tegray Scales, T.J. Simmons and Dawson Fletcher the foundation is in place to exceed his expectations.
"Leadership and production," Allen said. "From day one, I have challenged those guys to run the defense. That will never change. That position demands leadership on and off the field. To me, that is priority number one. Number two is those guys have to be our most productive players."
The defensive backfield returns all four starters from a season ago, but is still young. Going against the ultra-talented Hoosiers wide receivers in practice on a daily basis has certainly helped them improve their game.
"They need to rise up," Allen said. "We believe in them. It is a tough position to play, especially in today's game, with as many snaps that they end up having to play and in so much space and tempo."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After much anticipation it is finally game week for the Indiana football program. The grind of offseason workouts, spring practice and fall camp has subsided. For the first time in over eight months the team is watching film in preparation for an opponent they do not share a locker room with.
"It is always good to get into game week mode, and get our guys focused on playing someone else," defensive coordinator Tom Allen said. "I think they are tired of hitting each other. I am excited to get this season rolling."
Coach Allen has brought a different standard to the defensive unit. They will play with a higher level of tenacity, confidence and trust than ever before. His passion for the game and for developing his players is evident by anyone who has been around the team's practices since he was hired in January.
"Overall, for me, it is believing in what we are doing with the system, believing in what we are building in the mentality of our guys and the way they have practiced and performed each day," Allen said. "We have really worked hard on developing those good habits."
The other big change that Allen has brought over is the defensive scheme. This year Indiana will utilize the 4-2-5 in base packages. But to Allen, the scheme does not matter nearly as much as the mentality of the players.
"Mentality," Allen said. "I do not think the scheme is anything special. If there was a special scheme, everybody would be teaching the same thing. It is way more important to coach a mentality. I think it is more important to teach these kids to believe in themselves and the people around them. They have got to make plays. I have not tackled anyone in 24 years, not legally anyway."
Along with that mentality comes loving your teammates. The defense takes this to heart with the acronym L.E.O., which stands for Love Each Other.
"When there is a brotherhood of genuine love and concern for each other, that makes a difference," Allen said. "It makes a difference in how hard you practice or if you are willing to spend the time to watch some extra film. It is the overall environment of accountability. It is built into the culture of how we live. For me, it is about getting these guys to be a close knit, strongly bound group of guys that truly love each other."
The linebackers will be a vital component to the defensive unit. Coach Allen demands excellence from this position, after all they are the quarterback of the defense. With returning letterwinners Marcus Oliver, Tegray Scales, T.J. Simmons and Dawson Fletcher the foundation is in place to exceed his expectations.
"Leadership and production," Allen said. "From day one, I have challenged those guys to run the defense. That will never change. That position demands leadership on and off the field. To me, that is priority number one. Number two is those guys have to be our most productive players."
The defensive backfield returns all four starters from a season ago, but is still young. Going against the ultra-talented Hoosiers wide receivers in practice on a daily basis has certainly helped them improve their game.
"They need to rise up," Allen said. "We believe in them. It is a tough position to play, especially in today's game, with as many snaps that they end up having to play and in so much space and tempo."
Players Mentioned
LB
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