Five IUFB Takeaways from Big Ten Media Day

Written by Amanda Pavelka

It was a successful Big Ten Media Day, one that Indiana coaches, players, and journalists left with a ray of hope for what appears to be the beginning of a turning point for the IU football program. Here are a few takeaways from Big Ten Media Days you need for the 2019 season— put them in your pocket and do not lose them.

This year IU gets to see the best version of Tom Allen

Coach Allen took on too much when he started at IU. Holding the head coach and defensive coordinator title was just too much—and the job ran him ragged in his first two years at Indiana. Coach Allen told the media on Thursday he slept in his office for the first time ever in his coaching career last season. Film session days turned into sleepless nights as he juggled his duties as defensive coordinator, all while trying to carry out his most important duties as head coach. Allen’s dedication was no doubt, but it was time to hire someone to take over as defensive coordinator if Indiana wanted to win any more than five.

“I’ve felt very strongly about staying in that role for the first two years,” Allen said Thursday, “but I think it was time for me to be able to step aside from that and be able to become a better coach of the team and not just the head coach of the defense.” Allen says he consulted linebackers coach Kane Wommack for much of last season, and decided he would be the perfect guy to take over as defensive coordinator.

“He and I learned this system from his father,” Allen explained, “who I coached for at Ole Miss, Dave Wommack, and we’re on the same page philosophically, and so I had a great spring without young defense.” Rather than being distracted by defensive scheme-making, his focus will be solely on game day decisions. This will allow more time to recruit, and if this year’s commits look anything like this year’s group, IU will be on the up and up.

Quarterback Battle is a Bloody One

Having a hard choice to make when it comes to who will win the starting position is perhaps one of the best “problems” Allen has to face before the season-opener on August 31st.

“As we approach 2019,” Allen said, “we have three quarterbacks that I believe all three are capable of leading our football team. Peyton Ramsey is a young man returning starter done a tremendous job for us and he’s going to be in competition with Michael Penix and Jack Tuttle. Obviously as the returning starter, he’s the guy they’ve got to beat out.”

Michael Penix has been officially medically cleared to play after suffering his freshman season-ending ACL injury— and from what Allen said Thursday, it sounds like he’s had a great bounce back: “Michael Penix who’s worked extremely, played some meaningful minutes last year before an injury, and has worked extremely hard this off-season and is fully healthy and ready to go.”

Then there is who Jack Tuttle was granted immediate eligibility after deciding to transfer from Utah and it’s hard to tell if any one of them has the edge when he described Tuttle as “a young man that had a great man, had worked extremely hard, has a tremendous arm talent and ability to lead our football team.” I am sure of one thing when it comes to the quarterback position— it is not a position in which Indiana lacks talent.

IU is investing money in the football program, and it’s starting to pay off

Facilities are a big deal when top-notch talent comes to Bloomington, and the last thing Indiana should be lacking is a good first-impression. Much-needed upgrades have made memorial stadium a more enjoyable experience for fans— and players likewise.

This year, the football team will have a multimillion dollar facility, boasting a new locker room, training area, and players-only lounge, called the Terry Tallen Complex. The new tier ticket pricing, alcohol sales at Memorial Stadium, and the decision to bring back the name jerseys will all serve Indiana fans and players well.

Offensive line is in rebuild mode

Speaking of investments in the Indiana football program, the most important one might just be Kalen Deboer. $800,000 bought the new offensive coordinator from Fresno State. Deboer just might be a crucial missing piece to the Hoosiers’ offensive puzzle.

“He’s been a very successful collegiate head coach,” Allen said, “and also a very, very effective offensive-minded individual that can move the football down and score points, which has been our issue on offense.” Deboer led the Bulldogs offense over their opponents to win 22 games and a Mountain West title in his two years at Fresno State.

Not only do the Hoosiers have new staff to adapt to, but they are also in transition mode after losing three senior offensive lineman— two of whom went on to play in the NFL. Replacing Wes Martin, Brandon Knight, and Nick Linder will be a challenge, but Allen seems to have it under control— Coy Cronk, Simon Stepheniak and Hunter Littlejohn will obviously start, and the new depth at the position will only get bigger, stronger and more confident when the leaders take the extra time with the younger guys and show them the ropes. “Having guys with all different grade levels with that group” Allen said, “and a big part of that is being able to become more stronger, verbal leaders and being able to bring guys with you, to help us change this culture and be where we want to be.”

Where does Tom Allen want Indiana football to be?

That’s a great question and he had a clear-cut answer on Media Day—“We are going to win a bowl game. That’s what we are shooting for.” Allen’s one word for the 2019 season is “grit” which he defined as “perseverance and passion towards a long-term goal.” Nick Westbrook, Raekwon Jones and Coy Cronk all three mentioned progress as Allen’s goal for them as a team and if the Hoosiers made progress from last year’s five-win record, they will have earned themselves a bowl bid.