One of the most dominant coaching duos the sport has ever seen, Francis Allen and Jim Howard established a juggernaut program as co-coaches at the University of Nebraska. During their 29 years together, the coaches won eight NCAA Championships— including five straight— along with seven silvers and 14 conference titles. Allen and Howard competed as co-captains at Nebraska and won two Big Eight team championships.
Prior to reuniting at Nebraska as coaches, Allen and Howard experienced success individually. Allen took over as Nebraska’s head coach in 1970 and coached there for more than 35 years, while Howard established a 123-19 dual meet record at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. After the two teamed up in 1976, they coached seven NCAA individual champions, 167 All-Americans, three Nissen-Emery Award winners, and numerous Olympians.
Allen was selected as head coach of the 1980 Olympic Team, which did not compete due to the U.S. boycott. The eight-time Coach of the Year coached the 1991 U.S. World Championships Team, was named an Honor Coach by the College Coaches Association, and was elected President of the CGA in 2000.
Howard Coached the U.S. teams at the 1973 and 1983 World University Games, as well as the 1991 Pan American Games in Santiago, Cuba. He was also a three-time NAIA Coach of the Year.
