Tom-Allen

CHICAGO, Ill. ⁠— If one stripped away all the cameras, football decorations, and Big Ten Network signage, and closed his or her eyes, it would sound like Indiana football head coach Tom Allen was leading a shareholders’ meeting, passionately persuading investors to stay on board after a couple years of just missing expectations.

After all, Allen’s Hoosiers either won or stayed close in every game they played last season, except for a big home loss to Iowa, and one more win would have taken his program to just its fourth bowl game since 1993.

However, for a coach whose mantra in 2017 was “breakthrough”, his team is still looking for that cathartic, program-defining victory, if not season.

Standing unwaveringly at the podium during Big Ten Media Day on Thursday, Allen listed a number of positive trends for the program, identified some areas of improvement, and discussed significant changes that took place during the offseason. Here are the major takeaways:

New offensive looks for Indiana Football

The most important development for the football program since the season-ending Bucket game loss last November was the hiring of former Fresno State offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer to take over the same job at IU. “I don’t think it’s going to be dramatically different than it has been in the past,” Allen said, during the televised press conference.

However, DeBoer will have full reign as far as installing his system.

“I told Coach DeBoer when he got here, I want him to come in any completely implement everything as he wanted it in terms of terminology and everything, and let our guys be able to learn a new system.”

IU Head Coach Tom Allen

In a session with the media later in the afternoon, Allen made it clear he would not get involved in the play calling on offense; that would be DeBoer’s domain. Senior WR Nick Westbrook, serving as one of three player representatives at media day, was looking forward to working with DeBoer. “I’m super excited to see how this is going to play out,” Westbrook said.

“This past spring was incredible. We saw a lot of deep shots down the field, which is what us receivers love. There are a lot of different formations, motions, and shifts that can get people in the right position to allow them to succeed and show off their athleticism.”

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Nick-Westbrook
Photo: IndianaHQ

Westbrook also suggested that the Hoosiers’ offense should be more focused on the specifics and particulars, which he believed may lead to more success on that side of the rock.

Coach DeBoer really preaches that explosive plays don’t have to just be 50-yard bombs. We’re going to try to make more with our bubble screens, making sure the details are right to block those the right way, so we can break one of those for 20, 30 yards. Before, we knew what our play was and how to run it, but we didn’t do our jobs to the best of our abilities, and the details made the difference.

IU Wide Receiver Nick Westbrook

Another point of discussion on Thursday was IU’s quarterback situation. Allen made it clear that three quarterbacks will vie for the starting spot: redshirt junior Peyton Ramsey, redshirt freshman Michael Penix, and redshirt freshman and Utah transfer Jack Tuttle.

Allen said that Ramsey, as the returning starter, will have to be beat out, but the head coach believes all three are capable of leading the team. On a positive note, this means that Michael Penix is coming along fine in his recovery from the serious leg injury he suffered last season against Penn St.

Also noteworthy, the Hoosiers are planning to use a single-QB system, despite many believing the potential for a multiple quarterback rotation.

On the offensive line, Allen commented that the depth is a concern for the team (he said the same about the defensive line). Seniors Coy Cronk, Simon Stepaniak, and Hunter Littlejohn offer some experience, but they will still have to replace a couple of NFL prospects, Wes Martin (4th round – Washington) and Brandon Knight (undrafted – Dallas).

Allen announced that redshirt sophomore Caleb Jones will start at RT. Jones, a Lawrence North product, comes in at an eye-popping 6’8”, 360 lbs.

After an impressive freshman campaign, running back Stevie Scott, who changed his jersey number to #8, will enter the 2019 with plenty of expectations, especially after being named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List, for the nation’s best running back.

Answering a question from IndianaHQ, Allen was very transparent in his comments on Scott.