Report: Indiana parts ways with Tom Allen after 7 seasons as head football coach

Indiana dismissed football head coach Tom Allen, according to Zach Osterman of the Indy Star. The Hoosiers finished 3-9 this season.

It was the seventh and final season for Allen at the helm of Indiana. However, the head coach could not replicate the success of 2019 and ‘20 in recent years.

The search is underway for a new head coach in Bloomington.

According to Osterman, Indiana made the decision to fire Allen despite owing $20 million in buyout money over the next four years.

It was a disappointing end to the season as the Hoosiers lost three in a row by a combined 10 points. That’s the difference between 3-9 and a 6-6 with a bowl berth.

“Proud of our guys for battling and fighting and competing to the bitter end,” Allen said after Saturday’s loss to Purdue. “But you know, it’s about us as coaches doing a better job of making a better call in those situations. And obviously, every week you try to adjust and adapt to what you’re gonna see. And guys stepping up and making plays in those situations …

“Disappointing is not even the right word. It’s just devastating. Our guys work so hard and I’m just so proud of our guys for believing and staying with us.”

Allen remained confident in his guys until the end. It just wasn’t enough.

“They didn’t waver, so I really respect them for that,” Allen said. “And just, it’s hard. It’s hard to win games and you got to find ways to close out finish. So it takes all three phases to do it … But you know, obviously a lot of things to work on and get better at without question. But bottom line is, is that you just gotta, you know, coaches and players we got we got it together. We got to be able to finish.”

Allen finished his time at Indiana with a 33-49 record. Following a 6-2 season during the shortened 2020 campaign, there were heightened expectations for the program.

That year, due to controversy surrounding the COVID pandemic, Indiana nearly made the Big Ten Championship. With former quarterback Michael Penix Jr. under center, things looked bright in 2021.

However, injuries and struggles were the story for the whole team that following fall. Allen and Indiana finished 2-10 and followed it up with 4-8 and 3-9 seasons, respectively.

Prior to becoming head coach, Allen was the defensive coordinator for the Hoosiers in 2016 and also coached at Ole Miss (2012-14) as the linebackers and special teams coach, as well as the DC at South Florida in 2015.