Date Posted:07:27:09 05/17/04 Mon Author: HC81 Subject: Worc Tele Article In reply to:
PARENT
's message, "Coach Allen past away today." on 20:58:13 05/16/04 Sun
Former Holy Cross football coach Dan Allen died yesterday afternoon at his home in Westboro. He was 48.
Allen announced last August he was suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity. His illness robbed him of his mobility from the neck down, but it never took away his competitive spirit. He coached all of last season from a wheelchair.
Allen's health had deteriorated in recent weeks. Friends said he died peacefully, surrounded by his wife, Laura, and their children, Mark, Taylor and Danielle.
Funeral arrangements had not been determined as of last night.
Allen went 26-63 in eight years at Holy Cross. He was relieved of his duties on Nov. 24, two days after the Crusaders completed a 1-11 season.
Allen's health problems became apparent early in the 2002 season. He took a 3½-week medical leave of absence during the season, but returned to coach the Crusaders' final four games. With a tremendous amount of help from his assistants, Allen, who was forced into a wheelchair last summer, stayed on as coach in 2003 and served as an inspiration to his players, many who have referred to him as a father figure.
Allen's career coaching record was 61-97 over 14 years.
After serving as an assistant at Holy Cross from 1982-89 under both Rick Carter and Mark Duffner, Allen took over the head coaching duties at Boston University. He was 35-34 in six years at BU and guided the Terriers to NCAA Division 1-AA playoff appearances in 1993 and '94. His 1993 BU team went 11-0 in the regular season, earning Allen NCAA Division 1-AA national Coach of the Year honors.
Allen left BU after the 1995 season to return to Holy Cross. Allen had one winning season at HC when the 2000 team went 7-4, posting the most victories by an HC squad since 1991. Allen was named the New England Sportswriters as Division 1-AA Coach of the Year.
Allen, a native of Ohio, was an all-conference linebacker at Hanover (Ind.) College and was inducted to the school's Athletic Hall of Fame two years ago. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Dayton, where he received his master's degree in 1979. He coached for two years at Mariemont High School in Ohio before returning to his alma mater as an assistant in 1981.
I recall the beautiful day in September 2002 at West Point when the Crusaders defeated Army under Coach Allen's leadership. That victory is mentioned in the story below. As far as the public knows, this seemed to be the beginning of the end.
The comments in the article typify the feelings of those who were associated with Coach Allen and demonstrate the depth of his courage.
Heartfelt condolences to his family.
PHOTO GALLERY
Dan Allen died yesterday. (AP)
HERALD INTERACTIVE TOOLS
View Graphic Version
Email to a Friend
Subscribe to the Boston Herald
RELATED COLLEGE NEWS
Holy Cross fires head coach Allen
Former HC, BU coach Allen dead at 48
By John Connolly
Monday, May 17, 2004
There was always the unmistakable twinkle in the eyes that let you know immediately the type of competitive nature that Dan Allen possessed.
After all, what other college football coach could lay claim to having beaten legendary football powerhouse Army while coaching at two different schools as Allen did with Boston University and Holy Cross.
That's why the news of Allen's death yesterday at the age of 48, after battling complications of multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome for most of the past two years, came as such a shock to the Holy Cross community and the college football community in general.
``He was the reason why I came to Holy Cross,'' said Arlington native Dave Puloka, who was a tri-captain on the 2000 Holy Cross squad that finished 7-4 under Allen. ``He was like a second father to me. I'm sure I'm not the only one who felt that way.
``He was the type of guy that if he was going to go down he'd go with a fight. From what I had been hearing prior to this he was doing worse, but you always believed he'd pull through this somehow.
``It still hasn't sunk in. It's really tragic. It's so sad. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this point.''
Boston College assistant football coach Billy McGovern was an All-America safety while playing for Allen at Holy Cross and ended his career as the NCAA Division 1-AA all-time leader in interceptions.
``It's a real loss,'' said McGovern from New Jersey, where he was on a recruiting trip for the Eagles. ``Dan was always so positive in every way. He always thought that he'd beat this from day one.''
Allen, an honorable mention All-America linebacker at Hanover (Indiana) College, was a longtime assistant at Holy Cross during the 1980s when the Crusaders were a dominant force on the Division 1-AA scene.
A native of Cincinnati, Allen left HC to become head coach at Boston University in 1990, guiding the Terriers to back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances in 1993-94 behind the prodigious quarterbacking talents of Robert Dougherty.
A highlight was the 1993 season when BU went 11-0 during the regular season (12-1 overall), beating Kurt Warner and Northern Iowa in a thrilling game at Nickerson Field in the first round of the playoffs before falling to host Idaho in the next round. Allen was named both New England and national coach of the year that season.
Allen returned to Holy Cross in 1995. He managed a 26-63 mark in eight seasons and was named New England Coach of the Year in 2000 after the Crusaders finished 7-4.
Another highlight was the Crusaders' stunning 30-21 upset of Army at Michie Stadium to kick off the 2002 season.
``He was able to put a lot of the pieces of the puzzle together,'' said Leo Fanning, Allen's right-hand man at Holy Cross and longtime defensive coordinator. ``And the underlying piece was him. He was a great person and his values permeated out to his kids.
``He epitomized the word courage.''
Allen was forced to take a month's leave from the sidelines beginning on Oct. 7 of the 2002 season but continued to watch game film and prepare game plans. He returned to his post for the final four games and coached last season while using a wheelchair for greater mobility.
Allen always remained upbeat, always looking ahead to the next game.
``We have a ways to go, but that's what preseason is all about,'' Allen said prior to last season.
Funeral arrangements were not complete as of last night.
Allen, who resided in Westboro, is survived by his wife, Laura, sons, Mark and Taylor, and a daughter, Danielle.
