Tom Allen walked off the sideline with a streak of blood on his cheek after Saturday’s victory over Michigan, the result of an inadvertent head-to-helmet collision with defensive back Devon Matthews late in regulation.
It wasn’t the first time Allen’s zeal has left his face worse for wear.
Nearly two decades ago, back when he was coaching at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, Allen suffered a black eye after jumping on a player to celebrate a key interception. Sound familiar? Allen’s eye socket made direct contact with the player’s helmet, leaving him to coach in the state championship game with a busted face.