MUNCIE, Ind. — It was 2014, and then-Ole Miss linebackers coach Tom Allen received a call from head coach Hugh Freeze gauging his interest in becoming the defensive coordinator at the University of South Florida under Willie Taggart.
Allen vetted the job, and while he knew Tampa was a good spot for his family, there were a few questions marks. Taggart was on the hot seat. Meaning if the Bulls didn't win, this could be a brief stop for Allen.
Did he really want to pick up and move his family for just one year?
On the morning of the day he had to give an answer, Allen decided to take the job.