Report: Ole Miss LB coach Allen heading to South Florida

Ole Miss linebackers coach Tom Allen is leaving Oxford to accept the defensive coordinator position at South Florida ESPN’s Derek Tyson has reported.

Sources: #OleMiss LB’s coach Tom Allen has been offered and accepted #USF‘s defensive coordinator job. Official announcement later today.

— Derek Tyson (@DerekTysonESPN) December 15, 2014

Allen, a former longtime high school coach, interviewed last week. He’s finishing up his third as the linebackers and special teams coordinator at Ole Miss.

Under the direction of Dave Wommack, the Rebels’ defense finished fourth in the SEC during the 2014 campaign giving up 321.2 yards per game.

According to his Ole Miss bio, Allen ‘served as the head football coach at Ben Davis High School (Indianapolis) from 2004-06 and was also the head coach at Temple Heights (Tampa) High School from 1992-94. From 1995-03, he served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at several prep stops including Armwood High near Tampa.

Think Tom Allen will be a great fit for #USF. Knows the Tampa area well and he's a high character guy which recruits will like.

— Derek Tyson (@DerekTysonESPN) December 15, 2014

It is not yet known if Allen will coach the Rebels in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against TCU on Dec. 31.