A former Indiana Football player has decided to hold the Administration’s feet to the fire after Tom Allen was let go.
Brass tax is brass tax, and Tom Allen did not win enough games to keep his job. However, you will not find many better men coaching football than the New Castle, Indiana native. Despite winning about four games per season during his time as head coach, Tom Allen had the respect of his peers and former players.
Former offensive lineman Dylan Powell is one of those players. He got on Twitter yesterday and voiced his opinion about the state of the Indiana football program:
I have a challenge for you @ScottDolson and Pam Whitten as you wake up this morning. I want you all to look yourselves in the mirror and ask if you truly have done everything you can to support IU football and Coach Allen. I think if you say yes, you’d be lying to yourselves
— Dylan Powell (@Dylan_Powell74) November 26, 2023
Fans and former players can agree that Allen was an excellent ambassador for the program, but there needs to be changes. Powell argues the change needs to be with the Administration’s commitment to the program in addition to finding a new head coach.
Since that answer is no, you owe it to Him, former/current players, and all the fans to actually go all in and provide our program with the ability to compete at the highest level. Not look at a coach and expect him to figure stuff out on his own when it’s your job
— Dylan Powell (@Dylan_Powell74) November 26, 2023
Look no further than hardwood rival Kansas. They’ve proven that investing in and committing to winning football can take a program from a doormat to a winner. Do we know for sure that Indiana wasn’t committed to the football program? We don’t, but the field results tell a story involving more than just the head coach.
Despite those results, Indiana football is a pretty attractive job.
Tom Allen is a good man, a good coach that led #Indiana to heights during his tenure we hadn’t seen since the 1980s. Will be a lot of good candidates for this job, Sherrone Moore, Jason Candle and Justin Frye come to mind right away.
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) November 26, 2023
The university will have no issues finding willing candidates. High school football in Indiana is coming up, and you can flip a roster quickly because of the transfer portal. There are plans to renovate Memorial Stadium, which looks like they will happen this time. There are also plans to complete a football-only weight room by 2024.
Indiana might have finally figured out they can get to a bowl game most seasons if they decide to invest and compete. Their willingness to buy out Tom Allen could signify they are ready to play ball.