‘High Expectations’ -- Allen Pumped About IU’s Defensive Prospects
5/18/2020 9:00:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Want to get Tom Allen jacked up?
Talk defense.
Want to add to the Indiana coach's intensity?
Mention this coming season's defensive prospects.
"I am very much looking forward to this season," he says.
You'd expect that from a guy who has spent most of his college coaching career coaching defense. Add nine returning starters, plus a majority of the two-deep, from a unit that held opponents to 24.4 points and had two shutouts, and you can understand why optimism is high.
"Defensively, we were very young two years ago," Allen says. "We were still young last year and it showed a few times. It hurt us at times."
The hope is there will be enough wisdom through the pain to improve on last season's 8-5 record.
"We have to continue to grow through those mistakes we made," Allen says. "I know we will. That's why this spring was off to a really, really good start. I loved the way we were practicing. I loved the communication on defense. I loved the energy on defense. I loved the confidence, the intensity of those guys."
Love hit a pandemic road block that canceled the final 11 spring practices, but the foundation was set.
"They're all a year older," Allen says. "They've all played so much football."
It starts at linebacker, where IU returns three of its top players in Micah McFadden, Cam Jones and James Miller, plus husky Marcelino Ball, who is a big-play-making hybrid linebacker/safety.
"We have a lot of production coming back on defense, especially the linebacker room," Allen says, "which really drives your whole defense and how those kids play and how they communicate and how they just impact the whole side of the ball because of their confidence."
A talented secondary is led by Tiawan Mullen, Reese Taylor, Jaylin Williams, Raheem Layne, Devon Matthews, Juwan Burgess and Jamar Johnson.
Then there's an up-and-coming defensive line led by James Head Jr., Jerome Johnson, Demarcus Elliott and Michael Ziemba, plus the addition of Stanford graduate transfer Jovan Swann.
"The secondary and defensive line has got a lot of youth," Allen says. "That's a group I have high expectations for."
Expectations are led by defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, although Allen continues to have major input.
"We all know my involvement on defense and what it's been in the past and what it will continue to be in the future," Allen says. "Coach Wommack has done a tremendous job with that group.
"I sit in on different meetings and different groups and for us to be able to continue to grow and install the defense is the priority. We've got to keep those guys hungry and sharp."
Not knowing when players will be allowed to return to campus to train, or if pre-season practice will start on time, adds to the challenge.
"We will have limited reps no matter what happens moving forward," he says. "We're definitely going to have less reps than you would have with spring ball being cut short.
"Having those guys back is a huge plus for sure, but they've got to stay sharp, keep working hard and maximize the time we give them right now.
*****
The pandemic-caused lockdown has forced Allen and his staff to improvise. The goal is to find opportunity in adversity.
An added bonus -- what they do now might generate change that will last for years to come.
"That's part of growth," Allen says. "Certain things in our country's past have forced people to reevaluate what they do, and it created some innovative ways to do things."
Technology could help turn a coach's 18-hour days into more manageable ones.
"This Zoom concept has a lot of merit in terms of maximizing time in our schedules," Allen says. "I've talked about in the future where we can utilize a Zoom call with our staff for a meeting, and not all have to be in the office working at a certain time of the year.
"Time management is something I've really taken a step back to evaluate, because we're always trying to find more efficient ways to operate. The biggest being how we meet, and the time that we use, and how we can use the technology to the fullest so that our coaches can be extremely effective in their jobs, but also be the husbands and fathers that I want us to be in this program. It creates the balance that allows us to be our very, very best."
*****
Youth isn't wasted on these Indiana young.
Not when you consider what Wommack and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan are poised to do.
Wommack, as we know, will run a defense rich in potential and experience.
Sheridan takes charge of a talent-rich group that seems fully capable of matching, if not surpassing, last season's 31.8-point a game attack.
While both coordinator won't overwhelm with experience (the 31-year-old Sheridan has coached collegiately since 2011; the 33-year-old Wommack since 2010), they fully understand the game. Both are the sons of coaches and played collegiately -- Sheridan as a Michigan quarterback, Wommack as a fullback and tight end at Arkansas and Southern Mississippi.
"They're young in age," Allen says, "but not in their ability to communicate.
"When you think about technology, you get young guys who are used to utilizing technology to the fullest. They are really sharp with that."
While always important, technology has gotten added significance because closed campuses and facilities have forced coaches into virtual training and instruction.
Sheridan and Wommack are well suited to take full advantage.
"(That's) helped during this time to be able to communicate with our players and our staff," Allen says. "We've not had any staff meeting where we've been together. We've got coaches in different states because of where their homes currently are because they haven't moved here yet.
"So, having two young guys who are extremely bright and able to maximize technology has really allowed us to flourish. Our staff has been able to prepare and evaluate our players, install the spring installation schedule and also evaluate future opponents."
Specifically IU has targeted its first three opponents for next season -- Wisconsin, Western Kentucky and Ball State.
"They have a jump start on our Week One, Week Two and Week Three opponents," Allen says. "Both of those guys (Sheridan and Wommack) have done a great job communicating with their (units), and also in recruiting.
"I give them (that responsibility). They are to take ownership of each side of the ball that they're over in recruiting and making sure that we're getting those guys communicated with, that (recruits are) hearing from the entire staff on that side of the ball.
"Those guys are maximizing technology and maximizing the time we have to help us grow and develop during this challenging time."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Want to get Tom Allen jacked up?
Talk defense.
Want to add to the Indiana coach's intensity?
Mention this coming season's defensive prospects.
"I am very much looking forward to this season," he says.
You'd expect that from a guy who has spent most of his college coaching career coaching defense. Add nine returning starters, plus a majority of the two-deep, from a unit that held opponents to 24.4 points and had two shutouts, and you can understand why optimism is high.
"Defensively, we were very young two years ago," Allen says. "We were still young last year and it showed a few times. It hurt us at times."
The hope is there will be enough wisdom through the pain to improve on last season's 8-5 record.
"We have to continue to grow through those mistakes we made," Allen says. "I know we will. That's why this spring was off to a really, really good start. I loved the way we were practicing. I loved the communication on defense. I loved the energy on defense. I loved the confidence, the intensity of those guys."
Love hit a pandemic road block that canceled the final 11 spring practices, but the foundation was set.
"They're all a year older," Allen says. "They've all played so much football."
It starts at linebacker, where IU returns three of its top players in Micah McFadden, Cam Jones and James Miller, plus husky Marcelino Ball, who is a big-play-making hybrid linebacker/safety.
"We have a lot of production coming back on defense, especially the linebacker room," Allen says, "which really drives your whole defense and how those kids play and how they communicate and how they just impact the whole side of the ball because of their confidence."
A talented secondary is led by Tiawan Mullen, Reese Taylor, Jaylin Williams, Raheem Layne, Devon Matthews, Juwan Burgess and Jamar Johnson.
Then there's an up-and-coming defensive line led by James Head Jr., Jerome Johnson, Demarcus Elliott and Michael Ziemba, plus the addition of Stanford graduate transfer Jovan Swann.
"The secondary and defensive line has got a lot of youth," Allen says. "That's a group I have high expectations for."
Expectations are led by defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, although Allen continues to have major input.
"We all know my involvement on defense and what it's been in the past and what it will continue to be in the future," Allen says. "Coach Wommack has done a tremendous job with that group.
"I sit in on different meetings and different groups and for us to be able to continue to grow and install the defense is the priority. We've got to keep those guys hungry and sharp."
Not knowing when players will be allowed to return to campus to train, or if pre-season practice will start on time, adds to the challenge.
"We will have limited reps no matter what happens moving forward," he says. "We're definitely going to have less reps than you would have with spring ball being cut short.
"Having those guys back is a huge plus for sure, but they've got to stay sharp, keep working hard and maximize the time we give them right now.
*****
The pandemic-caused lockdown has forced Allen and his staff to improvise. The goal is to find opportunity in adversity.
An added bonus -- what they do now might generate change that will last for years to come.
"That's part of growth," Allen says. "Certain things in our country's past have forced people to reevaluate what they do, and it created some innovative ways to do things."
Technology could help turn a coach's 18-hour days into more manageable ones.
"This Zoom concept has a lot of merit in terms of maximizing time in our schedules," Allen says. "I've talked about in the future where we can utilize a Zoom call with our staff for a meeting, and not all have to be in the office working at a certain time of the year.
"Time management is something I've really taken a step back to evaluate, because we're always trying to find more efficient ways to operate. The biggest being how we meet, and the time that we use, and how we can use the technology to the fullest so that our coaches can be extremely effective in their jobs, but also be the husbands and fathers that I want us to be in this program. It creates the balance that allows us to be our very, very best."
*****
Youth isn't wasted on these Indiana young.
Not when you consider what Wommack and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan are poised to do.
Wommack, as we know, will run a defense rich in potential and experience.
Sheridan takes charge of a talent-rich group that seems fully capable of matching, if not surpassing, last season's 31.8-point a game attack.
While both coordinator won't overwhelm with experience (the 31-year-old Sheridan has coached collegiately since 2011; the 33-year-old Wommack since 2010), they fully understand the game. Both are the sons of coaches and played collegiately -- Sheridan as a Michigan quarterback, Wommack as a fullback and tight end at Arkansas and Southern Mississippi.
"They're young in age," Allen says, "but not in their ability to communicate.
"When you think about technology, you get young guys who are used to utilizing technology to the fullest. They are really sharp with that."
While always important, technology has gotten added significance because closed campuses and facilities have forced coaches into virtual training and instruction.
Sheridan and Wommack are well suited to take full advantage.
"(That's) helped during this time to be able to communicate with our players and our staff," Allen says. "We've not had any staff meeting where we've been together. We've got coaches in different states because of where their homes currently are because they haven't moved here yet.
"So, having two young guys who are extremely bright and able to maximize technology has really allowed us to flourish. Our staff has been able to prepare and evaluate our players, install the spring installation schedule and also evaluate future opponents."
Specifically IU has targeted its first three opponents for next season -- Wisconsin, Western Kentucky and Ball State.
"They have a jump start on our Week One, Week Two and Week Three opponents," Allen says. "Both of those guys (Sheridan and Wommack) have done a great job communicating with their (units), and also in recruiting.
"I give them (that responsibility). They are to take ownership of each side of the ball that they're over in recruiting and making sure that we're getting those guys communicated with, that (recruits are) hearing from the entire staff on that side of the ball.
"Those guys are maximizing technology and maximizing the time we have to help us grow and develop during this challenging time."
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DL
/ FootballFB: Inside IU Football with Curt Cignetti - Week 5 (at Iowa)
Thursday, September 25
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 5 (at Iowa)
Wednesday, September 24
FB: Pat Coogan Media Availability (9/23/25)
Tuesday, September 23
FB: Aiden Fisher Media Availability (9/23/25)
Tuesday, September 23