Former Penn coach Allen joins Celtics coaching staff

CSNE

A.SHERROD BLAKLEY


LAS VEGAS – Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens tapped into his college basketball connections in hiring former Penn head coach Jerome Allen.

Allen fills the vacancy created when Darren Erman left to become an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Stevens said his initial experience with Allen came while coaching against him.

“Got to know him after coaching against him, spent time with him, learned a lot about him,” Stevens said. “I was always incredibly impressed with him. Talked to players that played for him who loved him. I knew about him as a fan watching him play, being a guy that always appreciated smaller schools and what they can do. We’re looking forward to having him around.”

Allen finished his playing career as one of Penn’s greatest players, becoming the school’s all-time leader in assists and steals before being selected in the second round of the 1995 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

After a brief career in the NBA (117 games, two starts) and later overseas, Allen’s attention turned to coaching.

Naturally, his coaching odyssey began where his basketball career took off – Penn.

He would return as an assistant coach (2009-2010) for one season, and was later hired as interim head coach.

The interim label was removed shortly after leading the Quakers to an upset victory over then-nationally ranked Cornell.

However, Penn struggled to get back to being one of the Ivy League’s elite with Allen resigning following this past season with a 38-46 Ivy League record, 65-104 overall.

He now joins a Celtics coaching staff that includes Jay Larrannaga, Walter McCarty, Micah Shrewsberry and Jamie Young.

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So who's the defensive guru?

Sam

Still asking that question my self.

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