Indiana Football: Five Replacements for Tom Allen

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Sat.,10/17/98 … IU quarterback Antwaan Randle El yells joyfully as he runs off the field today after Indiana won the game against Iowa. The final score was 14-7 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. FOR USE WITH STORY. FILE #33532. PHOTO BY KELLY WILKINSONIu Kw 18 /

4. Antwaan Randle El, Wide Receivers Coach, Detroit Lions

When home calls, do you have to go? The first question when considering Randle El is whether or not he wants to be a college head coach or an NFL head coach. The Thornton Township High School product is arguably the greatest player Indiana University football ever produced. Randle El is one of the first modern-era, dual-threat quarterbacks.

He was the first quarterback in Division I history to throw and rush for 40 touchdowns. Randle El was the 2001 Big Ten Most Valuable Player and Player of the Year. He was also a first-team All-American that year. He was the career leader in passing yards when he left. Nate Sudfeld broke that record. He’s also second all-time in rushing yards.

Fans would love to have him return to Bloomington and lead the football program to heights never before seen. There is a risk in hiring Randle El. Would he bolt to a bigger coaching job or back to the NFL if he succeeded in Bloomington?

Hiring Randle El would be a huge splash for the university. When hiring football coaches, the university never makes the splash hire. Randle El could change that.

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