Unshaken – Allen Positions Football Program For Any Challenge
6/5/2020 9:00:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Tom Allen has always been a man of faith, passion, loyalty and commitment. Indiana's head football coach does what's right rather than what's easy. His program is built on love, not hate; on opportunity and not the lack of it. He preaches core values and principles that anchor a person no matter how bad things get.
In this national bad stretch, that's a game changer.
"We talk about all the time that when these storms come -- not if, but when -- you have a rock-solid foundation that can't be shaken," Allen says.
The fourth-year coach demands without demeaning, inspires without gimmicks and leads with full accountability.
In a nation divided by racism and pandemic, Allen is positioned to make a difference, by word as much as action, and makes darn sure to follow through.
He calls it L-E-O (Love Each Other).
In this role, silence is not always golden. Leadership demands a strong voice. It's a message Allen tells his players in football settings. It's an example he sets in tough times.
Last week's emotional tweet, in the aftermath of the unrest that followed George Floyd's murder, made Allen the first Power 5 head coach to speak about it.
Others soon followed.
"My heart is broken by what is going on in our country," Allen tweeted. "Racial injustice is wrong and it MUST be addressed!! I Believe we are to LOVE EACH OTHER! No matter one's skin color. Love is a choice. Our prayers are with George Floyd's family. John 15:12 #LEO"
For clarity, that Bible passage says, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
Allen tweeted that before the shocking weekend murder of one of IU's own. Former Hoosier football player Chris Beaty, a leader in the Indianapolis community in so many ways, was killed during the protests and violence that rocked Indianapolis.
Allen addressed that, among many things, during a Wednesday Zoom press conference.
"We continue to have heavy hearts for Chris Beaty and his family with the loss of our special former player," Allen said. "Just want to continue to support them in every way possible. That will not stop.
"We appreciate everything he stood for and represented. It's obvious that he's been honored and continues to be honored by the city of Indianapolis and those that knew him and loved him and what he meant to everybody that was a part of his life. We want to continue to think about them."
Allen has built his program on that kind of caring foundation. Every coach talks about team as family, not every coach lives it as Allen and his staff do.
That means listening as well as directing. It's understanding that everyone -- coaches, players, support staff and more -- is in this together.
That approach delivered last season's 8-5 record and TaxSlayer Gator Bowl berth, a breakthrough for a program with just one previous winning record in a generation. It could deliver even more this season.
In won't be easy amid brutal Big Ten East competition, continuing Covid-19 risk and racial injustice fury, but these uncertain times provide opportunities that transcend football. Lessons can be taught that last a lifetime.
Allen and his staff are prepared to do just that.
"A lot of things are going on in our country right now," Allen says, "which obviously equates to a lot of things going on in the lives of our players.
"(We) continue to listen and support. That's my biggest focus at this stage of what's going on. As an entire staff, continue to have open dialogue with our guys and be there for them and help them through this process of learning how to properly stand up for what you believe in, to be able to do it in the right way.
"I think our guys are responding and having some good communications with all of us as coaches. That's very, very important at this time."
As for football, IU is set to bring players back to campus (online summer classes are ongoing). Players will return in three waves from June 15 to July 6 as part of a comprehensive plan designed to keep everyone safe, healthy and primed for a big season. Allen said it meets or exceeds all national, NCAA and Big Ten safety standards
"It's very controlled, very organized. A lot has gone into it. I'm very confident in our plan."
Extensive coronavirus testing is planned for players, coaches and staff. They will be quarantined until results come in.
Once that is done, workouts will begin with social distancing, hygiene, daily and nightly facility cleaning and other safety measures.
"I appreciate (outgoing director of athletics) Fred Glass and (incoming director of athletics) Scott Dolson and their leadership to have the entire group prepared," Allen said. "It's been very thorough.
"We've had so many meetings. It makes you feel good about the high level of preparation that has gone into doing what's best for our student-athletes and keeping them safe."
Good feelings extend to academics. Guided by Dustin Swanson, director of academic services, and Christa Sist-Morris, director of retention and learning services, IU had a team spring semester grade point average of 3.285 despite the pandemic-caused disruption that sent all students home in March.
"Our players finished the course not blinking when these things were thrown at them," Allen said.
Beyond that, Stanford offensive line transfer Dylan Powell was granted a sixth year of eligibility, which will give him two years with Indiana.
"I'm very encouraged by that," Allen said. "He's been a tremendous leader. That's a positive for our program."
So is the addition of South Alabama tight end grad transfer Kham Taylor and the NFL's Green Bay Packers signing former IU lineman Simon Stepaniak.
"I know (Stepaniak will) do a tremendous job for that organization," Allen said.
Ultimately, for this coach, it's about the players, being there for them, listening to them, coaching them to their full potential, on and off the field, and all the promise that will bring, in football, and beyond.
"I can't wait to see them," Allen said. "It's been so long. I'd love to give them a big old bear hug, but probably will have to give them a fist bump or elbow bump or whatever the protocol is."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Tom Allen has always been a man of faith, passion, loyalty and commitment. Indiana's head football coach does what's right rather than what's easy. His program is built on love, not hate; on opportunity and not the lack of it. He preaches core values and principles that anchor a person no matter how bad things get.
In this national bad stretch, that's a game changer.
"We talk about all the time that when these storms come -- not if, but when -- you have a rock-solid foundation that can't be shaken," Allen says.
The fourth-year coach demands without demeaning, inspires without gimmicks and leads with full accountability.
In a nation divided by racism and pandemic, Allen is positioned to make a difference, by word as much as action, and makes darn sure to follow through.
He calls it L-E-O (Love Each Other).
In this role, silence is not always golden. Leadership demands a strong voice. It's a message Allen tells his players in football settings. It's an example he sets in tough times.
Last week's emotional tweet, in the aftermath of the unrest that followed George Floyd's murder, made Allen the first Power 5 head coach to speak about it.
Others soon followed.
"My heart is broken by what is going on in our country," Allen tweeted. "Racial injustice is wrong and it MUST be addressed!! I Believe we are to LOVE EACH OTHER! No matter one's skin color. Love is a choice. Our prayers are with George Floyd's family. John 15:12 #LEO"
For clarity, that Bible passage says, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
Allen tweeted that before the shocking weekend murder of one of IU's own. Former Hoosier football player Chris Beaty, a leader in the Indianapolis community in so many ways, was killed during the protests and violence that rocked Indianapolis.
Allen addressed that, among many things, during a Wednesday Zoom press conference.
"We continue to have heavy hearts for Chris Beaty and his family with the loss of our special former player," Allen said. "Just want to continue to support them in every way possible. That will not stop.
"We appreciate everything he stood for and represented. It's obvious that he's been honored and continues to be honored by the city of Indianapolis and those that knew him and loved him and what he meant to everybody that was a part of his life. We want to continue to think about them."
Allen has built his program on that kind of caring foundation. Every coach talks about team as family, not every coach lives it as Allen and his staff do.
That means listening as well as directing. It's understanding that everyone -- coaches, players, support staff and more -- is in this together.
That approach delivered last season's 8-5 record and TaxSlayer Gator Bowl berth, a breakthrough for a program with just one previous winning record in a generation. It could deliver even more this season.
In won't be easy amid brutal Big Ten East competition, continuing Covid-19 risk and racial injustice fury, but these uncertain times provide opportunities that transcend football. Lessons can be taught that last a lifetime.
Allen and his staff are prepared to do just that.
"A lot of things are going on in our country right now," Allen says, "which obviously equates to a lot of things going on in the lives of our players.
"(We) continue to listen and support. That's my biggest focus at this stage of what's going on. As an entire staff, continue to have open dialogue with our guys and be there for them and help them through this process of learning how to properly stand up for what you believe in, to be able to do it in the right way.
"I think our guys are responding and having some good communications with all of us as coaches. That's very, very important at this time."
As for football, IU is set to bring players back to campus (online summer classes are ongoing). Players will return in three waves from June 15 to July 6 as part of a comprehensive plan designed to keep everyone safe, healthy and primed for a big season. Allen said it meets or exceeds all national, NCAA and Big Ten safety standards
"It's very controlled, very organized. A lot has gone into it. I'm very confident in our plan."
Extensive coronavirus testing is planned for players, coaches and staff. They will be quarantined until results come in.
Once that is done, workouts will begin with social distancing, hygiene, daily and nightly facility cleaning and other safety measures.
"I appreciate (outgoing director of athletics) Fred Glass and (incoming director of athletics) Scott Dolson and their leadership to have the entire group prepared," Allen said. "It's been very thorough.
"We've had so many meetings. It makes you feel good about the high level of preparation that has gone into doing what's best for our student-athletes and keeping them safe."
Good feelings extend to academics. Guided by Dustin Swanson, director of academic services, and Christa Sist-Morris, director of retention and learning services, IU had a team spring semester grade point average of 3.285 despite the pandemic-caused disruption that sent all students home in March.
"Our players finished the course not blinking when these things were thrown at them," Allen said.
Beyond that, Stanford offensive line transfer Dylan Powell was granted a sixth year of eligibility, which will give him two years with Indiana.
"I'm very encouraged by that," Allen said. "He's been a tremendous leader. That's a positive for our program."
So is the addition of South Alabama tight end grad transfer Kham Taylor and the NFL's Green Bay Packers signing former IU lineman Simon Stepaniak.
"I know (Stepaniak will) do a tremendous job for that organization," Allen said.
Ultimately, for this coach, it's about the players, being there for them, listening to them, coaching them to their full potential, on and off the field, and all the promise that will bring, in football, and beyond.
"I can't wait to see them," Allen said. "It's been so long. I'd love to give them a big old bear hug, but probably will have to give them a fist bump or elbow bump or whatever the protocol is."
Players Mentioned
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