Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Changes at SBU


This time last week (December 10th), our Athletic Director informed me that the University was not going to renew my contract for the 2013 season.

When asked for a reason of the non-renewal, I was told "All you need to know is we are going in a different direction."  I was then told to vacate the premises in a timely manner.

I was obviously disappointed with the Athletic Director's decision, but am very proud of the accomplishments that our teams have made over the past 5 years.  There is no doubt in my mind we left the SBU Football program in a much better state than when we arrived.  We leave SBU with many firsts: 27 wins in a 5 year span, three straight winning seasons, the most wins by any coach, and what should excite the next coach a two game winning streak going into the 2013 season!

In our profession, you can be released "at will" for any reason the AD or President wants.  That is part of the business and I understand that and willingly signed my contract with that knowledge.  I am most disappointed   for my 5 full time assistant coaches.  They moved to Bolivar Missouri to share a vision we had to continue to change the culture of the SBU Football program, and now they must uproot their families.

Please pray for our coaching staff during this Holiday season, so they may find joy and work soon.

Bolivar has been my home for the past 7 and a half years.  And because of living in Bolivar, my wife has earned her Masters of Education Administration and will have her Specialists done this summer.  Because of living Bolivar, I have a 6 year old son and a 16 year old daughter that I would have never had.  Because of being at SBU I was able to call myself a Head College Football Coach for the past 6 seasons.  The Lord has decided my time at SBU is done, but I know I will be blessed wherever I am planted next.

Continued Success and Blessings-

Coach Allen