Armando Allen started at Charleston Southern in 2019 as the running backs coach. Allen comes to CSU after a three-year stint with Texas Southern where he held the same position.
The Bucs’ running back group continued its evolution in Coach Denson’s ‘Air Raid with an Attitude’ offense in the shortened 2021 spring season as the group combined a solid ground game with double-digit catches through the air. Terrence Wilson put together a 100-yard effort in CSU’s win over Robert Morris, while Jamari Dunbar had 24 touches in the Bucs’ win over Gardner-Webb. Overall, CSU finished the season with back-to-back 100-yard rushing games to build momentum heading into the 2021 fall year.
Allen’s running back group found ways to excel in both the run and receiving game in the 2019 season highlighted by 100-yard rushing efforts from Ronnie Harris, Kendrick Bell (twice), and Jamari Dunbar. The Bucs averaged 152.8 rushing yards per game on the ground, while five different backs hauled in passes paced by Harris’ 14. The Bucs posted a season-high 271 rushing yards against North Alabama and closed out the 2019 season with back-to-back 200-plus rushing efforts against Presbyterian (213) and Campbell (269).
During his first season with the Tigers, running back Brad Woodard had a breakout campaign towards the later part of the season rushing for over 500 yards. Woodard finished in the top 10 of the SWAC in rushing yards and tallied 3 consecutive 100 yard rushing games. Under the guidance of Allen, Woodard went on to finish in the top 10 in the SWAC rushing three of his four years and twice rushed for more than 500 yards in a season.
A former standout for Notre Dame, Allen finished his career ranking ninth on school list for most career all-purpose yards. As a freshman, he was the second leading rusher and ran for nearly 100 yards per game. He went on to lead the team in rushing his next two seasons and despite an injury his senior year, was still the team’s second leading rusher. He graduated with a degree in sociology and 2144 total rushing yards on 469 carries.
After college, Allen was signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad in September of 2011. He was promoted to the active roster in December and made his debut on Christmas Day against the Green Bay Packers. He rushed for 40 yards on 11 carries in his first game. The next season, Allen scored his first career touchdown run, a 46 yard touchdown, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in October of 2012.
In high school, Allen played at Hialeah-Miami Lakes High School in Hialeah, Florida. He was considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and Allen was listed as the No. 2 all-purpose back in the nation.
