Former University of Northern Iowa and Kansas University football coach Terry Allen was hired as the new head football coach at Missouri St. this afternoon. He spent 22 years at Northern Iowa as a player, assistant coach and head coach. From 1989 to 1996, he led the Panthers to a 75-26 record, winning seven Gateway Conference titles. He was 40-7 in conference play.

In December of 1996 he was hired at KU to replace Glen Mason. After five straight losing seasons, Allen was fired by Kansas in 2001. His record at KU was 20-33. Allen has been an assistant at Iowa St. since 2002 and will stay there until after their December 31st appearance in the Houston Bowl. His duties at MSU begin January 2, 2006.

Allen takes over for Randy Ball, who was fired in November after seven seasons in Springfield.