Staff report
Bloomington, Indiana – November 26, 2023
According to a report by The Herald-Times citing an anonymous source, Indiana University’s football coach, Tom Allen, has purportedly been fired. The university is allegedly set to compensate Allen with a staggering $20.8 million as part of his dismissal. The firing comes a day after Allen’s loss to Purdue.
Efforts to verify this information were made by The Bloomingtonian, reaching out to IU Athletics for confirmation and details regarding the source of this substantial payout. The news of Allen’s termination raises questions about the allocation of such a significant sum within the university’s financial structure.
The financial landscape within IU is multifaceted. While Athletics operates on a separate budget, recent events have underscored broader financial concerns across Indiana University. Instances such as the university having to increase payment for graduate students following a strike, juxtaposed with the administration’s reluctance to acknowledge the Grad Workers Union, have drawn attention to financial disparities.
Moreover, many employees at Indiana University face economic challenges, particularly in Bloomington, where the cost of living has rendered it unaffordable for some. Reports indicate that some university workers are compelled to seek aid from food banks to make ends meet, shedding light on prevalent financial hardships.
In a broader context, last year saw the Indiana legislature, predominantly governed by Republicans, discontinuing funding for the Kinsey Institute due to political motivations. Attempts by the university administration to separate the institute from the university while retaining ownership of its archives prompted outcry from activists. Critics argue that this move jeopardizes the institute’s esteemed status as a crucial research hub, potentially leading to its closure. The decision was tabled, but could be re visited at a future IU Board of Trustees meeting.
Despite these financial challenges, reports suggest that the expected $20.8 million payout to Coach Allen ranks among the highest compensations ever granted to a dismissed college football coach. Previously, Indiana University disbursed $10.35 million to a former basketball coach upon termination, with the funding source shrouded in secrecy.
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