MSU ends contract with football coach

Last edited 8:10 a.m., Nov. 25, 2014

Missouri State University will not renew its contract with head football coach Terry Allen.

In the role since 2006, Allen led the Bears to a 37-64 record in his nine seasons with the Springfield team. His contract - at a current base salary of $108,211 - expires at the end of January, according to a news release.

"We thoroughly evaluate our programs after each season and keep an eye on various factors throughout the year," MSU Director of Athletics Kyle Moats said in the release. "After reviewing our football program, I consulted President (Clif) Smart and made my recommendation to make a change after this season.

“He supported that recommendation, which is obviously never an easy one to make.”

In yesterday’s announcement, Moats noted the university is moving to hire a new coach. Charged with narrowing down the field of potential candidates for Smart and Moats to interview, a committee has been formed comprising Ryan DeBoef, chief of staff; Casey Hunt, associate director of athletics; Jim Hutter, associate professor of agriculture; and businesspeople Tom Strong and Fred Harle.

Allen’s 37 wins ranks him fifth among coaches in MSU’s football history. During his tenure starting Dec. 20, 2005, Allen mentored 56 all-conference players and 34 academic all-conference players, produced winning seasons in 2007 and 2009 and tied for second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2013 and third in 2010, according to the release.