Allen Returns to Division II to lead CMU

Ron Allen, a man with extensive Division II experience including a NCAA title, is returning to the college college ranks.  Allen has been tabbed as the new head coach at Colorado Mesa University.  Allen takes over for Brian Pearson who stepped down in May.  CMU

“We are pleased that Coach Allen is on board and a member of our athletic department and coaching family,” said Butch Miller. “Ron brings over 15 years of Division II collegiate coaching experience and has been instrumental in building successful programs at every level.  I am confident that he will bring the finest student-athletes to CMU to compete on a regionally and nationally level and demand high standards in the classroom and the community,” added Miller.

Allen began his collegiate coaching career at California State University Bakersfield as a volunteer assistant with the men's swim team in 1990 and 1991. He assisted with all aspects of training, day-to-day operations and meet duties. CSU-Bakersfield won the 1991 NCAA Division II National Championship, the sixth consecutive title at CSUB.

From 1991 through 2005 Coach Allen was the Head Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Coach at University of South Dakota. In his 15 years at the helm of the USD program he was named North Central Conference Men's Coach of the Year four times and a two-time Women's Coach of the Year. He coached 57 North Central Conference Champions and 79 NCAA All-Americans.

 

Coach Allen guided USD men's team to eight NCAA Division II Top Ten final rankings and its first ever North Central Conference Championship in 1997 and its second title in 1999. In 1999 the men reached its highest ranking in school history finishing third in Division II. The women's team earned its highest ranking finishing eighth in 1999. In 2000 USD boasted its first ever NCAA Individual Champion.  During his tenure at University South Dakota he received the American Swimming Coaching Association (ASCA) Coaching Excellence Award 12 times, coached 18 team and 26 individual NCAA Academic All-Americans.

 

In 2005 through 2008 he was the Head Men's and Women's Swimming Coach at Morningside College (NAIA). While at Morningside the Mustangs set 28 school records, qualified 22 individuals for the NAIA National Championships and coached six NAIA Scholar Athletes. In 2007 the men finished the year ranked eighth and the women 10th at NAIA Nationals. Aside from his head coaching duties he was the Aquatics Director in charge of; daily pool operations, coordinated the swim program for over 500 children, staffing, training of lifeguards, scheduling and budgeting.

Coach Allen has been the Head Swim Coach since 2008 for the Idaho Falls (ID) Swim Team overseeing all aspects of training, scheduling, budgeting, and fundraising. Team members have more than tripled under his supervision and he has coached numerous nationally ranked swimmers.

Allen earned his Bachelor's Degree from Lewis & Clark College in Psychology and Physical Education. He earned his Master's Degree in Social Psychology of Sport from University of Oregon.