Brian Allen enters his first season as defensive coordinator for the Bears and seventh as an assistant coach at Washington University. Allen also serves as the defensive backs coach for the Bears.

Allen had no problem fitting in with the coaching staff at Washington University, having played his first three years of college ball for current Bears' head coach Larry Kindbom at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.

Following his playing career, Allen returned to Kenyon and spent nine seasons as an assistant coach before coming to Washington University. Allen tutored the linebackers and also served as defensive coordinator.

Prior to that, he spent one season as an assistant at Jonathan Alder High School in Plain City, Ohio.As a three-year starter and four-year letterman at Kenyon, Allen twice earned all-North Coast Athletic Conference honors as an offensive lineman. He surrendered just one sack in 30 career starts and helped lead Kenyon to its first and only conference championship as a senior in 1989.

After graduating from Kenyon in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in history, Allen earned his master of arts & teaching degree from Tufts University in Boston in 1991.

Quick Facts About Allen

Years at WU: Six

Previous coaching experience:
1992-2000: Assistant coach (defensive coordinator, linebackers) at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.
1991: Assistant coach at Jonathan Adler High School in Plain City, Ohio

College career:
Three-year starter and four-year letterman at Kenyon College. Earned all-North Coast Athletic Conference honors in 1988 and 1989, helping lead Kenyon to its first and only conference title in 1989.

Education:
Jonathan Adler High School (1986); bachelor's degree in history from Kenyon College (1990); master of arts & teaching from Tufts University in Boston, Mass. (1991).

Family:
Single.