Allen Introduces New Defensive Staff

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana head football coach Tom Allen addressed the media on Sunday (January 23) to introduce the newest additions to his defensive staff in defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Chad Wilt and defensive line coach Paul Randolph.

Below is the full transcript of the press conference, while video of the media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.

Tom Allen | Head Coach
Opening Statement
TA: Appreciate everybody being here this afternoon. I do want to congratulate [head men's basketball coach] Mike Woodson for the win on Thursday [over Purdue]. I was down in the south recruiting and was in my hotel room. My signal went out on the television, so I called my wife and she's giving me the play-by play for the finish. I was just screaming and yelling and cheering them on. So just support our basketball teams in every way, men and women, and appreciate the job they do. Proud of them.

Excited to be here today and have a couple new staff hires to introduce. Chad Wilt here to my left and Paul Randolph here to my right. We are very excited about adding them to our football program. As is always the case, it's about adding men that fit with us and that align with us. I have a long history with Chad and his dad, who was his college coach, as well, at Taylor University. I've actually been trying to get Chad here for several years; ever since I got here, matter of fact. The timing finally worked out. So thrilled to have him and what he brings to our staff. He not only brings tremendous leadership in terms of football, but as a high character individual that is a great husband and father. That's important to him and it's important to us. The way he leads them and the way he's going to lead his room of linebackers, as well as our defense.

He will be our defensive coordinator, but I will be calling the defense. It's something that we're going to be doing a little bit different. He and I have talked that through. He'll be organizing our staff and all the things that we do. The things I've learned the last few years will help us to be able to function that way at a high level. I'm excited about it. I'm excited to be working with him as he leads our linebacker room and leads our entire defense. He's going to do a tremendous job.

Paul is a guy I have not worked with and did not know, as well. But Jason Jones has coached with him on two different staffs and then [talked to] some guys that I know that highly respect him and have been with him for many, many years. In the short time we've been able to spend together, I am impressed with his energy, he has tremendously high character and I can't wait for our defense line to be led by him, as men first and as players second.

To me, the passion he has for capturing the hearts of his players is going to be one of his major strengths and to be able to get them to be able to play at such a high level together and for each other, which is LEO all wrapped up into one. He may have not called it that in the past, but he's lived that out without question. That was the prevailing theme that I got through this whole process. It was a very thorough process for me to go through and find the best fit for us at that position.

I couldn't be more excited about adding these two individuals to our program, and I know they're going to make us better.

On his decision to go back to calling the defense…
TA: It is something I've been thinking about for a little bit and just as these things transpire, just felt like it was time. I'm excited about it. There's just a certain, you know, product I want on the field for that side of the football and the system hasn't changed [since I came to Indiana].

I just feel like that having the last three years to be able to be in the role as head coach only, I've been able to grow tremendously, and I feel really good.

My goal was to be able to find a person that could be my right-hand man in the meetings because what I've found the biggest issue is whether it's scheming during the week or working on things, then things happen and you get pulled out of a meeting, to be able to continue to flow. That's what I want to get with Chad.

To be able to have him be that person that's going to be the go-to guy for organizational purposes, even during the game. You know, to me it was to be able to have the adjustments, to have his expertise, to be able to grow him through our system and to be able to do what I need to do on game day when the offense is on the field and defense is back there making adjustments. Obviously, still have the headset to communicate, but he'll be in charge of those and be able to handle that.

And that, to me, was probably the biggest thing that I had to kind of grow through the last few years, just the game day management part of it, which I feel comfortable with at this time. [I am comfortable with] how we work with our clock management guy in the box. That won't change.

I feel like that, you know, for somebody to just kind of follow your gut on what you feel like is best for what your team needs. And I've missed that part of it. I just feel like that's definitely one of my strengths as a coach. It's the reason why I'm sitting here in this position.

That's where I feel like and I know we've got a staff now that's been together for a long time and a lot of guys that know exactly what needs to be done. I feel very comfortable with those guys and their ability to lead in that group, especially with the backend and being there with Casey [Teegardin], Jason [Jones] and Brandon [Shelby].

And then obviously, with the linebackers I've always been involved in pretty much every linebacker meeting. That won't change. Chad runs that group, and I'll be with him directly. So, I feel really good about the staff structure and the organizational part of that to be able to make it very effective and help us get to the Top 10 defense I know we should be.

On how his new role will be able to also support the offensive staff like he has in the past…
TA: I think that's a great question. Bottom line for me is by not coaching a position defensively, I'll still be able to be involved in all the quarterback meetings like I have been and spend the time that I've done with those guys. That will help me be able to do that and to be able to structurally manage what they're doing.

Obviously, also, which I've never done, I've never sat in there when they're scheming. That part of it has been done separate, even the last couple years. So, that will remain the same. Obviously [Walt] Bell will be the offensive coordinator and be calling the plays and has his staff that he'll be utilizing.

The good news for me is I feel like that I have a pretty clear understanding of what I want on that side of the football. It's his responsibility to articulate that and to be able to manifest on that on a daily basis to our team. Like I said, I don't think behind the scenes it will feel a lot different. I have spent predominantly most of my time with the defense the last couple years, last three years, but would obviously maybe spend a little bit more time with them than I will now. I trust those guys and am excited about the changes we're going to make on offense.

On how he feels about the stability of the coaches and players on the backend of the defense…
TA: A lot of stability there with our coaching staff as well as some key players. You know, some of the best players that I've coached here [have played in the secondary]. Tiawan Mullen is a returning first-team All-American and was injured most of last season and didn't get to play very much healthy. Then, Jaylin Williams, another All-Big Ten returning guy. [Devon Matthews] Monster, an All-Big Ten safety that's returning. Then you've got [Bryant Fitzgerald] that's played so much football for us and is just a really good football player.

We are excited about that group and the guys working with them, as well. We just want to make sure they're put in the best position possible to make the most amount of plays. We've got to get back to creating takeaways, which we have to have. That's been a staple for who we are and what we do. So, that's really priority number one and those guys are a huge part of that.

The guys up front are the catalyst for that with creating those negative plays, those havoc plays, those disruptive plays that force offenses to make those type of mistakes. I think that group of players has some young guys that we've recruited and guys that are here [already] and have the next opportunity to step up. Jonathan Haynes to me is a young man that didn't get to play much last year due to injury. Josh Sanguinetti is the same thing. He missed a lot of games with an injury. He's got a great opportunity to grow. Bryson Bonds, the same thing. I could go on and on. I think even Deland McCullough II really saw a lot of things the last few weeks of the season. … Maurice Freeman is another one that came here as a true freshman, played a little bit on special teams and we expect him to step up and elevate himself. Noah Pierre is a guy that proved his value last year as a versatile player and he's returning. Just a lot of experience. We've got a combination of both experience and some young guys to be able to put together an excellent secondary, in my opinion.

On if the defense will get back to creating turnovers this season, as it did in 2020…
TA: We will do everything we have to do to make sure that the takeaways go back up. In today's game, I think there's a lot of things that are structured in a way to help there to be points scored, which is why people like watching games. A 9-to-7 game isn't as appealing as 47-to-45, right? But, I know how I feel about that.

But bottom line, the takeaways are a big part. You know, you're going to give up some yards at times, but that's how you eliminate possessions. So, to me, playing with more vision gives you an opportunity to do that without question. I just think to be able to play fast and physical, to be able to create that disruption is the focus. Takeaways, tackling and effort, that doesn't change. That's who we are. That's our DNA. Always has been, always will be. But, yeah, I think structurally, schematically, there's things you can do to help yourself with that. That's definitely one of those things for sure.

Chad Wilt | Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Opening Statement
CW: Great to meet you guys. Great to be here back in the state of Indiana. As a person that finished high school here in Indiana, as Coach Allen alluded to, as a coach's son, grew up a little bit but I did finish high school here. Played for my father at Taylor University. My wife is from Indianapolis herself, went to Roncalli High School. So, we really consider ourselves Indiana people, an Indiana family.

To be able to be here in this state, sitting there looking at Assembly Hall and what this university means to this state, to represent this state is a tremendous honor for us and our family. To be here with Coach Allen and our relationship and how we match and align our character, the values, the belief system that coach has for his program is something that I'm humbled to be a part of. Truly humbled to be a part of this staff, this university, this football program, and be working for Coach Allen and who he is. I could not have asked for a better fit for me as a person and as a man.

On his approach to defense…
CW: As you look at how we're going to be structured and how we're built, this is the Indiana way, right? The Indiana system. When you talk about the takeaways, the tackling, the effort, that defensive DNA, that's not going to change. The things that we're going to value, as you said, being aggressive and really wanting our kids to feel comfortable and confident in the system, to know their system, to feel comfortable and confident in their fundamentals and their technique, all of that, right. Because when you can put those two things together, you know what to do and how to do it, build that through spring ball, preseason camp, then as you get into the season, it's going to allow them to really learn and study and know their opponent.

If you can build them to the point where they know their opponent -- I used to work with somebody who used to say think players first, plays second. Making sure our guys, again, understand their system, have a confidence and belief in that, have a confidence and belief in their fundamentals and technique. Then to be able to match that, how do we go attack an opponent. Then, finally, the great defenses, they do those three things, and then they play with phenomenal effort and passion. They play with passion. They play with physicality. I don't think that's going to really be a whole lot different

A I said, great defenses, they do those four things, and they do those four things very well. And that's what we're going to be building here.

On moving into coaching linebackers after coaching the defensive line for so long…
CW: Coach Allen and I had those conversations. Being a coach's kid, I've grown up [and watched as] my dad has coached offense, defense, and special teams. Really good coaches are coaches. They're teachers. They're motivators. They're developers. They're instructors.

It is not really a major departure when you look at the front seven and run fits and understanding those things. I've never considered myself a guy -- you know, when we got to pass skeleton film, I was taking off to go watch 1-on-1s. No, I was sitting in there, preparing, watching, studying, learning to become the best coach that I could be, not just defensive line coach, become the best coach I could be.

Will there be adjustments and new things to learn? Yes, there will be. And I've already been spending time this past week working on some of those things.

One of the great challenges for me is also a great opportunity. You know, I got my master's degree from University of Virginia. They talk about there all the time about being a life-long learner. They don't talk about at Virginia having freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors. By the time you graduate, I'm a senior, I'm finished learning. They talk about first year, second year, third year, fourth year learners. When you graduate, you then become a fifth year learner and a sixth year learner.

That's where I am right now. Now, in the coaching world, I'm now a 22nd year learner and continue to try to grow, learn, develop, push myself and challenge myself. That's the beauty of this for me. It is another opportunity to accept the challenge, embrace a challenge and become a better coach. That's what I'm really excited about.

On his observations of Indiana over the last few years as he coached in the Big Ten…
CW: One of the things I think -- we've obviously studied Indiana's defense more than offense. You would think otherwise, but when you talk about scouting opponents within the Big Ten, we're typically watching the defense more than their offense. You play their offense once a year. You watch their defense three, four, five times a year. One of the things that you see from the defense perspective is a group that plays hard. They play with a passion.

I still want to challenge that group to continue to grow in that and take that next step. But you also see a group that doesn't play scared. Right? Talked earlier about, you know, the takeaways and creating havoc. Talk about creating havoc. And you see that within even the play calling structure.

This is not a group that's going to just be a bend and don't break mentality. We want to attack. We want to pin our ears back. We want to create our havoc. That's your TFLs, your sacks, your pass breakups, your interceptions, your forced fumbles. And then within that, then now that allows you to get people off schedule, get them into the second-and-longs, get them into the third-and-longs, which you're going to be a way better defense on third-and-8 than you are on third-and-2, statistically, no doubt about it. You see that in the structure of the defense.

Then offensively, obviously, going through a change and adjustment here. But there is talent. There's no doubt. When you look at [Ty] Fryfogle and look at the guys that have been here. There's talent on this roster. …Then you look at the recruiting from this year of one of the best recruiting classes ever, if not the best recruiting class. Again, rankings are rankings, but there's talent and there's ability here. We've just got to take that and continue to build it, shape it, refine it, develop it, and help them play at or above their God-given abilities.

On working with what he called a deep and talented group and how he can help them improve…
CW: As I alluded to, being here in the Big Ten, I've seen the talent, seen what they have. You know, the beauty of these little things [cell phones] we carry in our pockets now, it's easy to go look anybody up at the drop of a hat and go, 'okay, how many guys are back, how many guys are returning,' and to make sure, 'okay -- listen, this is a position that can continue to build, continue to grow.' Like you said, whether it's the returners like Taiwan [Mullen] or the incoming guys like Dasan [McCullough]. You know that there is talent there. I mean, alluded to it earlier, think players first, play second.

There're guys that can naturally rush the passer. There're guys that can naturally cover. And those guys are here in this locker room and this roster. As Coach Randolph mentioned also, then it's about motivating and developing those guys and getting the best out of them.

As a communicator, I really believe coaching is teaching. You know, I was told long ago that the definition when you look up the word coach, it goes back to the 1500s and France and Hungary, of literally to carry, to take, to transport.

You look at into the Wild West, right. The stagecoach, what did they do? They helped deliver, take somebody from point A to point B where they wanted to go. Take them from where they are to where they want to go. That's our jobs as a coach, to help take these young men from where they are to where they want to go.

Then you've got to understand who that young man is. Everybody is different. You can't coach every young man the exact same. You have to find, as Coach [Randolph] alluded to and talked about those relationships, taking the time to get to know them and what is going to motivate them, what is going to push them, what is going to challenge them. Some guys are the guys you put your arm around, you whisper in their ear, and you talk to them. 'Hey, you know that's not what we're looking for,' or, 'Hey that's really good.' Some guys want to be praised verbally or loudly, then some guys want to be criticized, need to be criticized quietly. Other guys are the opposite.

You just have to take that time to get to know those guys and communicate with them in the ways that will connect with them.

Do I do that loudly sometimes? Absolutely. We're coaches. I'm not going to sit here and say I'm completely always passive. You know, sometimes there's an urgency about what we're doing and how we've got to get it done. You've got to put your feelings aside a little bit. I understand that.

But ultimate, at the end of the day, it is about those relationships and getting to know these young men and what motivates them, where do they come from, what is their background. And certain guys you can't talk to them a certain way, especially not in this day and age.

But at the end of the day, like I said, it is about connecting with them, getting to know them. And maybe that relationship is so strong that if I say something to you loudly that you don't like, you still know where I come and how I feel about you. One of the things my dad taught me as a coach is it's never about the person, it's always about the action. That you coach the action negatively, not the person negatively. Praise the person. Don't coach the person negatively, coach the action negatively.

Paul Randolph | Defensive Line
Opening Statement
PR: Excited to be here. Had an opportunity to talk with Jason [Jones] about Coach Allen. And then I met Coach Allen, and he was everything Jason said about him and more. Right off the bat, I know we meshed. I knew it immediately. What he believes in, young men, developing them, growing them as men, capturing their heart and their minds. That's what I am about is developing and pouring into the young men that I coach with everything that I have, helping them accomplish their goals and their dreams. That's what coaching is about for me.

My wife, Mia, we're empty nesters, so she'll be joining me shortly. And we're excited about being back in the Midwest. I spent a little time at Toledo, Illinois State, a few years ago, but really excited to be back here. I had an opportunity to watch IU football a couple years ago when Coach Allen and the team were rolling, from afar. And it was really exciting to me to see the passion, the purpose with which they played. And now that I've met Coach I know why. So, we're really excited to get started, boots on the ground and get this thing started this year.

On what he looks for in terms of defensive linemen…
PR: I tell you what, big fast and physical. You know, myself and Coach Wilt, we were just talking about it a few moments ago. You absolutely want the mindset and work ethic. Then, the physical tools, of course, is just you like length, especially in this league, length, size, and then the ability to whip the guy across from you.

On his passion for teaching and developing men before players…
PR: Truthfully, one word, serving. Serving the young men that I have the opportunity to coach. And not just my position but across the whole team. Just being an example of what we ask them to be. To me, just serving them. And I call it T-I-M-E, you have to spend time developing relationships and developing trust. Once they know that they have my heart, they'll give me theirs, and then we can do great things.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
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Players Mentioned

Bryson Bonds

Bryant Fitzgerald

Maurice Freeman

Jonathan Haynes

Devon Matthews

Deland McCullough II

Tiawan Mullen

Noah Pierre

Josh Sanguinetti

Jaylin Williams

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