Dan Allen, 48; Ended His Coaching Career in a Wheelchair
- Share via
Dan Allen, 48, who ended his college football coaching career working from a wheelchair, died Sunday at his home in Westboro, Mass., of complications from multiple chemical sensitivity.
Allen was best remembered for turning around the football program at Boston University. He tallied a 35-34 record there in six seasons from 1990 to 1996, including an 11-0 regular season in 1993, earning NCAA Division 1-AA coach of the year honors.
But financing waned and Allen returned to Holy Cross as head coach in 1996, fulfilling a dream at the school where he had begun his coaching career, a year before Boston University ended its football program.
He had less success with the Holy Cross team, compiling a 26-63 record. Allen led the Crusaders to a 7-4 season in 2000, its first winning record in eight years, and earned the New England football coach of the year title.
Allen was relieved of his duties after the 2003 season when the team lost 10 straight games.
Because of his illness, he spent that hapless season coaching from a wheelchair in a special box built for him.
A graduate of Hanover College in Indiana, he earned an honorable mention there as an All American linebacker.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
