John Allen begins second year as the wide receivers coach at Old Dominion.
In his first season in Norfolk, Allen led wide receivers Jonathan Duhart and Travis Fulgham to the best season by a receiving duo in ODU History. The pair were the first two receivers to record 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. Fulgham led C-USA in receiving yards per game with 90.2, while Duhart finished third in the league with 87.1 yards per game. Duhart finished second in the league in receptions with 74, while Fulgham placed ninth with 63. Each receiver scored nine touchdowns. It marks the second time in ODU history that three receivers had more than 55 catches, as Isaiah Harper finished with 55 grabs on the season.
All three players, Duhart, Fulgham and Harper played in postseason all-star games. Fulgham joined defensive end Oshane Ximines as the first ODU players to play in the Reese's Senior Bowl, Duhart played in the East-West Shrine Game, and Harper Played in the Spiral Tropical Bowl.
Allen comes to ODU after spending three years as the offensive coordinator at Delaware State. In 2016, he helped lead the Hornets to their best offensive ranking in the MEAC in eight years.
“My family and I are extremely thankful to be joining the Monarch Family. Coach Wilder and staff have built an elite program here in Virginia, and I look forward with helping to continue that success,” Allen said.
Prior to joining Delaware State, Allen was the head coach at Division II Lock Haven (PA) for four seasons. He helped the Bald Eagles snap a 52-game losing streak, the longest in Division II, and in 2013 led LH to their most wins in a season in 10 years.
He spent four years as the player development coordinator at Penn State, and was in NFL Europe for four years, three as the offensive coordinator of the Amsterdam Admirals, and one as the head coach of the Berlin Thunder.
Allen began his coaching career at Lock Haven, working in various positions for eight years. He spent time coaching the wide receivers, quarterbacks and as offensive coordinator, and as the defensive backs coach, special teams and recruiting coordinator. He also spent one season coaching the wide receivers at Bucknell.
Allen was a three-year starter at wide receiver and team captain at James Madison, where he played from 1991-94.
All-Conference Monarchs Under Coach Allen:
2018: Jonathan Duhart - Second-Team All-Conference USA
2018: Travis Fulgham - Second-Team All-Conference USA