Just how big is high school football in the state of Texas? Is winning the Texas State Title for football the hardest thing to do in high school sports? Where did his love of the game of football begin and what does the word “Character” mean to Coach Allen.

Coach recalls playing in the state championship in 1967 and the controversy of the last second decision the seniors made and the result that occurred. Hear about attending SMU, playing under Coach Hayden Fry and why he feels SMU was the right decision for him and where he is today. 

What he took from being under Coach Merrill Green who is a Texas HS Football Hall of Fame Coach and how he helped him get a head job. We hear stories from days at Ballinger HS and then the process of getting hired at Brownwood HS following a coaching legend in Gordon Wood. Coach then gets hired back at his alma mater of Abilene Cooper and how he turned that program around along with his feelings of getting them back to the state championship for the first time since his playing days in 1967. 

What the rich tradition is at Highland Park HS, what he felt after winning his first state championship in 2005 on an undefeated season. From there they have gone on to win three straight state titles from 2016-2018. How the game has changed in Coach Allen’s time in the game of football. Coach goes into detail about announcing his retirement in the spring of 2018 only to change his mind 21 days later. We end with Coach Allen’s answer to how much longer will he go? 

Links:

Article and Video of Coach Allen’s 400th victory: https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/dfwvarsity/prep-football/article236987234.html

2021 Highland Park HS Football Schedule: https://www.scotsillustrated.com/sport/football/boys/?tab=schedule

WATCH HPHS Football: https://www.scotsillustrated.com/broadcasts

Video Highlights of 2017 State Championship Game vs. Manvel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUCBq_8uU04

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The Extra 5

How, when, and why Coach Allen wears the fedora hat and suits on the sidelines. Hint: Dallas Cowboys

Hear an in-depth recollection of one of the wildest games he has been apart of which was a state championship game. See links for highlights. 

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