Portal:American football/Selected biography/May, 2008

George Allen was an American football coach in the NFL and USFL.

Allen was born in Detroit, Michigan, where his father, Earl Raymond Allen, was recorded in the 1920 and 1930 U.S. census records for Wayne County, Michigan as working as a chauffeur to a private family. He earned varsity letters in football, track and basketball at Lake Shore High School.

Allen went to Alma College and later at Marquette University, where he was sent as an officer trainee in the U.S. Navy's World War II V-12 program. He graduated with a B.S. in education from Eastern Michigan University.He attended the University of Michigan where he earned his M.S. in Physical Education in 1947.

In 1948, Allen became coach to Morningside College in Iowa. Over three years, he compiled a 15-2-2 record. From 1951 through 1956, he coached Whittier College in California where he put together a 32-22-5 mark.

Allen joined the Los Angeles Rams staff in 1957, coaching under fellow Hall of Fame coach Sid Gillman. In 1958, owner and head coach George Halas hired him as both personnel director and assistant coach with the Chicago Bears. During his seven years of acquiring talent, the Bears were able to select three future Pro Football Hall of Famers in Mike Ditka, Dick Butkus, and Gale Sayers. Allen's defensive schemes and tactics also had a formative effect on future Hall of Fame players Bill George and Doug Atkins during their most productive years. However, it would be his innovative defensive philosophies that would allow Allen to make his mark in the NFL.

During the latter stages of the 1962 NFL season, Allen became the Bears' defensive coordinator following the resignation of Clark Shaughnessy. In his first full year in the position, Allen helped the team's defense dethrone the two-time champion Green Bay Packers and lead the team to the 1963 NFL Championship. Following the 14-10 victory on December 29 over the New York Giants, played under frigid conditions at Wrigley Field, Allen received a rare honor when he was presented with the game ball following the contest.

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