The Ed Allen era has ended at SIU. 

Allen, who had coached the Salukis since 2019, announced Wednesday that he was stepping down from his head coaching position. 

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“I’m grateful for my time in Carbondale and the opportunity to coach so many outstanding young women,” Allen said. 

Allen coached the Salukis to a 69-106 record over his tenure, highlighted by a 20-12 record in the 2023 season and an appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship postseason tournament. 

Allen will be most remembered at SIU for his efforts in rebuilding the volleyball program, which had bottomed out prior to his arrival with back-to-back 6-23 seasons. 

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Though he was at the forefront of two seasons with fewer than six wins, he also was at the helm for an 18-win season as well as a 20-win season in 2022 and 2023, respectively. 

“I especially appreciate the efforts of my staff with their help in turning this program around,” Allen said.

After a third-place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2023, expectations were high coming into the 2024 season. However, the Salukis were unable to meet them, and stumbled to a 10-19 record, including losing nine straight to end the season.

Allen ranks sixth in the country in wins among active Division 1 head coaches, having led his teams over 34 years to an astounding 715 career wins against only 390 losses. 

Prior to SIU, Allen coached at Anderson (IN), Presbyterian, Tulsa and Alabama. He received conference coach-of-the-year honors six separate times among those stops, won nine conference championships, and guided his teams to six NCAA tournament appearances.

Athletic director Tim Leonard was appreciative when talking about Allen’s tenure and the effect he had on the program.

“Ed is the definition of a winner and has led our volleyball program with integrity and class. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” Leonard said. 

The search for Allen’s successor is expected to begin immediately and will be nationwide, according to Leonard. 

Sports consultant Ryan Grieser can be reached at [email protected]. To stay up to date on all your southern Illinois news, be sure to follow The Daily Egyptian on Facebook and on X @dailyegyptian.

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