Indiana Football Coach Tom Allen Fired, $20 Million Buyout

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana bid farewell to football coach Tom Allen on Sunday, ending his seven-year tenure in Bloomington, an insider confirmed to IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Allen left Indiana with a record of 33-49, and 18-43 in Big Ten play.

After a successful period in 2019 and 2020, Allen’s final three seasons ended with a 9-27 overall record, 3-23 in the Big Ten, and no Power Five nonconference wins.

Despite a contract buyout exceeding $20 million spread out over the next four years, current athletic director Scott Dolson decided a new direction was necessary. The search for Indiana’s third football coach in the last 13 years begins immediately.

IU coaching candidates: Who will Indiana turn to replace Tom Allen?

Allen’s coaching journey began on the same day the Hoosiers parted ways with former coach Kevin Wilson, transitioning from his role as defensive coordinator. Allen’s instrumental role in reviving the team’s defense and securing a Foster Farms Bowl berth led to his swift elevation without a coaching search by then-AD Fred Glass, announced in an evening news conference on Dec. 1, 2016.

DOYEL: IU can’t afford Allen’s buyout, but can it afford program bottoming out?

Under Allen’s leadership, the Hoosiers saw significant success and rebuilt the roster between 2018-20, boasting a 19-14 record and securing berths in the Gator and Outback bowls, achieving Indiana’s first two January bowl game appearances in Florida. Allen’s “love each other” mantra transcended beyond the wins and losses, fostering a winning culture for the team.

Noteworthy victories included a four-game win streak in 2019 and an impressive performance in the COVID-affected 2020 season, with IU’s first win against top-10 Penn State and victories over Michigan, Michigan State, and Wisconsin. However, the following year fell short of expectations, leading to a 2-10 finish in 2021, without any Big Ten wins, and subsequent setbacks in the next two seasons, resulting in Allen’s dismissal.

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on X at @ZachOsterman.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Tom Allen fired as Indiana Hoosiers football coach after 7 seasons