Indiana University will pay their head football coach Tom Allen another seven years in a groundbreaking seven-year deal worth $27.3 million in total contract value. The contract will be guaranteed 100% compensation in the first three years, and 50% compensation for the final four years. The agreement is good through November 30, 2026.

Allen, who has led Indiana football to its best regular season in 26 years, has the Hoosiers at an 8-4 record and eagerly awaiting to find out their bowl-game selection. Earlier this year, the Hoosiers broken one of the more embarrassing streaks in the country as they ended a historic AP Top 25 drought that lasted 9,182 days by coming in at No. 24 in the November 10, 2019 AP poll.

Quotes from Fred Glass, Tom Allen, and Michael McRobbie

When I hired Tom to be our head football coach I said I was doing so because he is a leader of men who is demanding without being demeaning, and a proven, successful coach on a national scale with deep Indiana ties who cares about his players, and they care back. In his three seasons he has proven to be all of that and more which is why I believe the future of Indiana Football is in great hands. I thank Tom and his team for their transparent, good-faith approach to these conversations, as well as President McRobbie without whose counsel and support this would not have been possible. Indiana Athletic Director Fred Glass

I am humbled and thankful that President McRobbie and Mr. Glass continue to believe in our staff and the winning culture that we are creating. I love our staff and appreciate their tireless efforts as we continue to build this program into a winner, the right way. Thank you to Indiana University, our fans, the Bloomington community and all of Hoosier Nation for their support. I am so appreciative of the young men who represent IU in such a first-class manner. We have a tremendous group of players, I am proud to be their head coach, and I am 100-percent committed to their success on the field, in the classroom and in life. It’s no secret Indiana University is a special place to me. I was born a Hoosier, raised a Hoosier and I am thrilled with the opportunity to remain a Hoosier for a long, long time to come. Indiana Head Coach Tom Allen

Tom has done an excellent job in leading Indiana University’s football program and positioning it for an extremely bright future. In guiding his players through a breakthrough season that will culminate in an upcoming bowl game, recruiting several of the most talented classes in the history of IU football and working tirelessly to create a winning culture in Bloomington, he has built a foundation for many years of success in competing with the Big Ten’s best.



A born-and-bred Hoosier, Tom has also captured the hearts of our many fans with his unbridled energy and enthusiasm, his unwavering belief in and loyalty to his players, and his passion for IU and his home state. This is clearly the start of something very special at IU, and we are extremely confident we have the right person at the helm to lift IU football to new heights. Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie

Allen’s new contract takes him out of the Big Ten cellar slightly as his annual compensation ranks 13th within the conference (above Maryland head coach Mike Locksley) and top-45 among all coaches nationally. Prior to the new deal, Tom Allen earned the lowest Big Ten salary at $1.8 million annually.

Two interesting components of the contract include an increase $500,000 to the salary pool for assistant coaches, strength and conditioning staff, and operations staff. This bump largely will be directed to Indiana offensive coordinate Kalen DeBoer, who has now elevated Indiana to a top-15 offense in the nation, according to ESPN’s SP+ ratings.

The timing is important because DeBoer, who was at Fresno State prior to this year, is now being considered to potentially fill the Fresno State head coach job once current head coach Jeff Tedford steps down at the end of the season.

BREAKING #FresnoState head coach Jeff Tedford is expected to step down due to health reasons, per sources. More details to come.. He went 26-14 in three seasons there and FSU was ranked No. 18 in the country last season.…Expect #Indiana OC Kalen DeBoer to be a leading candidate. — Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 6, 2019

The second noteworthy contract term is that Tom Allen will receive an extension of the contract in for each bowl game appearance. Clearly, the contract heavily incentivizes reaching the coveted six-win mark and ultimately qualifying for a bowl game.

Featured Photo: IndianaHQ