Indiana University Athletics
Commitment Has IU Football Set To ‘Compete At Highest Levels’
3/9/2021 9:22:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – It's about commitment. Understand that first when considering Indiana football coach Tom Allen's reworked contract, the salary boost given to his assistant coaches, and the potential for this program on the rise.
"I want to allow this to be what I envisioned it to be when I first got here," Allen says via Zoom opportunity as the Hoosiers prepared to start spring practice. "To be able to compete at the highest level in this conference and across the country."
IU vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics Scott Dolson was able to reward exceptional performance. The job Allen, his staff, and players have done the last two seasons -- a 14-7 record, two bowl bids, victories over Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan State -- personifies that.
The result -- Allen's contract has been extended through the 2027 season at $4.9 million a year -- $1 million a year more than the previous deal he signed 15 months ago.
"This is the next step for us as a program as we move forward," Allen says. "Our university has chosen to invest in our coaching staff, and everybody that is part of this program. This is a very big step for us, and we are excited about what the future holds."
Major contracts also were given to new defensive coordinator Charlton Warren and new associate head coach/running backs coach Deland McCullough. Plus, the salary pool for the remaining assistant coaches also was significantly increased, Allen says. That follows recent facility upgrades.
"I am very thankful and appreciative of Scott Dolson and his commitment to our football program," Allen says, then also thanks IU president Michael McRobbie and the IU Board of Trustees.
"I wanted to be at a place that values the football program, invests in the program, and allows us to have the infrastructure and support to do great things. This is a special time for us."
Recruits notice.
"We talk about this with recruits," Allen says. "We always have conversations about the facilities and why they are important. It shows commitment and investment. It shows the priority of football at IU."
The Hoosiers' recent success comes from the work of so many in and around the program, Allen adds.
"It is a tribute to our coaching staff and all the players that come here and believed, bought in, and created an unbelievable environment. It is just so many layers. There are so many pieces to this that speak so strongly to the culture we have created here. It has taken so many people and several years. It didn't just happen overnight.
Cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby will add the title of assistant head coach to his resume, and it comes with extra responsibility. Allen doesn't give titles without purpose.
"I'm excited for his growth and development there," Allen added.
"It helps our staff get better. He and I have talked about his desire to be a head coach someday. He has a strong personality to be able to address and connect with our players."
Also, special teams coordinator Kasey Teegardin will work with the outside linebackers.
As far as the team, expect to see a better quarterback Michael Penix Jr., but not until the fall.
The last thing Allen wants is to put Penix in harms ways this spring. Not after he suffered the second torn ACL of his IU career.
"We won't see much in the spring with him," Allen says. "He will definitely not be taking any reps with anybody around him. Definitely going to throw some footballs around, but pretty limited in that regard."
A third-straight, season-ending injury leaves Penix with resiliency and determination few can match. It's shown up in his rehab work, Allen says.
"He's done a tremendous job of following everything we've asked him to do from a medical perspective. I've been meeting with him, meeting with the staff and just different things to get him mentally growing and developing as a leader, growing and developing in his understanding of defenses and all of the different things he has to do to run the offense.
"I want him to be diligent in those areas and see him keep growing. I want him to take another step in his growth and the holistic part of how he has to approach the game and be able to get where he needs to be."
Where Penix ultimately needs to be is at Iowa for the Sept. 4 season opener. His arm talent, leadership, and play-making ability are crucial for Hoosier success.
"We expect him to be ready to play to start the season," Allen says. "I feel good about the future and the way he's progressed and the prognosis we've been given from the doctors. We're expecting him to be full bore when the season starts."
In the meantime, backups Jack Tuttle and Dexter Williams II will get the majority of spring practice work. Tuttle replaced Penix for the last two games, which included a victory at Wisconsin.
"Those two are going to take a lot of reps," Allen says. "Jack proved his worth on the field last year."
IU returns most of its key players on offense and defense. Add some significant newcomer additions and the prospects for a strong follow up to last season's 6-2 record are everywhere you look.
That's exactly what Allen has in mind, for next season, and plenty of seasons to come.
"I want to continue to build off the foundation that we have laid here at Indiana."
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