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Former Terrier football coach Dan Allen, 48
“Dan Allen proved that nice guys do finish first,” says Ed Carpenter, BU’s director of sports information. “Sadly, he was given just 48 years to prove it.”
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Dan Allen (left) leads his BU Terrier football team, circa 1990, with offensive line coach Tony Sparano. Photo by C. W. Pack |
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Allen, Terrier football coach from 1990 through 1995, succumbed to complications of multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome on May 16, at the age of 48.
A native of Cincinnati, Allen led the 1993 Terriers, who were picked to finish near the bottom of the Yankee Conference, to an 11-0 regular-season record. They advanced to the NCAA Division 1-AA playoffs for the first time in nine years, eliminated the University of Northern Iowa, 27-21, in double overtime in the opening round, and in the quarterfinals lost to the University of Idaho, 21-14, after rallying with two fourth-quarter touchdowns.
That year, BU won the Yankee Conference title with an 8-0 record, was voted the Lambert Cup for outstanding achievement by a Division 1-AA team in the East, and was selected the ECAC Division 1-AA Team of the Year. Allen was voted the NCAA Division 1-AA National Coach of the Year as well as the Conference, Greater Boston, and New England Coach of the Year.
Allen also demonstrated one of his best personal qualities during that season, remembers Carpenter. On Halloween, with the Terriers having won their first eight games, and the coaches working to prepare for an important game, Allen sent his staff home early so they could take their children trick or treating. “Many coaches talk about the importance of family but don’t practice it,” says Carpenter. “Dan did both.”
In 1994, the Terriers posted a 9-2 regular-season record, including a 21-12 win at Army. The team once again advanced to the Division 1-AA playoffs, where they lost in the first round to Eastern Kentucky.
Allen was named the head coach of the Holy Cross football team in 1995, after compiling a 36-33 record in six seasons at BU. He had served as an assistant coach at Holy Cross from 1986 to 1989, before moving to BU. His best season at Holy Cross was in 2000, when the Crusaders finished with a 7-4 record and Allen was named the New England Coach of the Year.
A fund has been set up by Allen’s family to help defray the cost of his medical bills. Checks should be made out to the Danny Fund and sent to Carol Sexton, Branch Manager, Sovereign Bank, 70 East Main Street, Westborough, MA 01581.
23 April 2004
Boston University
Office of University Relations