He does not coach on the sideline or make impressive plays as an athlete; however, he carries the most important role for the University of Alabama’s football program.
Since 2007, Jeff Allen has served as the school’s head athletic trainer and director of sports medicine – helping the team to six Southeastern Conference titles and five national championships with Nick Saban.
Allen is the engine behind the Crimson Tide’s student-athletes performing at a high level in practice and in games, as he and his staff find different ways to use modern medicine in helping Alabama football become an elite power.
For his efforts, the Atlanta Athletic Trainers Association or ALATA, named him its 2019 collegiate Athletic Trainer of the Year on Friday and his staff was honored as well.
Thank you @ALATA_Inc. Our athletic training staff is very honored and humbled by the award! We are so thankful for ALL of the athletic trainers in Alabama who work so hard to bring quality medical care to so many athletes in our great state! Roll Tide! https://t.co/SPWmASJiHr
— Jeff Allen (@makennahsdad) May 31, 2019
Along with pushing the maximum potential from players, Allen has also been successful in prolonging the careers of athletes that have suffered injuries. Players such as Kenyan Drake, Eddie Jackson, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Cam Sims and Robert Foster all had medical mishaps in college, but Allen got each one back healthy and now all are in the National Football League.
Terrell Lewis is Allen’s next project.
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After having both knee and elbow issues in the last two seasons, Lewis anticipates being fully healthy for his senior year. Should he produce huge numbers, the former five-star linebacker would project as a first-round pick. Allen wants to get him to that mark, especially with how hard Lewis has worked and his decision to return to school to be a leader for this team.
Prior to Alabama, Allen served as head athletic trainer at University of Central Florida and Tennessee-Chattanooga (2000-04). He enters his 13th season with the Tide next fall.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
