Allen Tucker | University of Akron

Allen Tucker is in his second season as special team’s coordinator for University of Akron head coach Joe Moorhead in 2023.

 

Tucker came to Akron from Mississippi State where he has served as a special team quality control assistant at Mississippi State since 2018.

 

While coaching the Bulldogs, he played a key role on the increase in net punt, punt average, kick and punt return average and special team’s efficiency (ESPN) ranking every year at Mississippi State (2018-2020).

 

He coached kicker Jace Christmann, who was named to the Lou Groza Watch list in 2018, while punter Tucker Day was tabbed to the Ray Guy Watch List in 2019. The Bulldogs finished ninth in the NCAA in 2020 in kickoff return average, while kicker Brandon Ruiz was honored as the Lou Groza Star of the Week.

 

Sparked by 155 all-purpose yards, Lideatrick Griffin was recognized as the Most Valuable Player at the 2020 Armed Services Bowl after registering four kickoff returns for a 35.0 yard average. Griffin ranked fourth in the NCAA in 2021 in kickoff return average (33.8) to help the Bulldogs rate sixth nationally in the category as a team. Griffin was honored by Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus as an All-SEC special team’s selection in 2021.

 

Tucker returned to Starkville after spending the 2017 campaign as a defensive quality control coach at the Citadel. He helped coach a trio of Bulldogs to All-SoCon honors in Kalik Williams (first team), Myles Pierce (second team) and Aaron Spann III (second team).

 

Tucker began his full-time coaching career as a defensive intern working with defensive backs at Valdosta State in 2016. The Blazers led the NCAA in Division II in interceptions with 27 with Donatello Brown earning First-Team All-GSC accolades and Kenny Moore garnering second-team honors.

 

During his coaching career he has mentored six players that have gone on to play in the National Football League. That list includes Devon Bell (Kicker-MSU) – Detroit Lions, Hunter Bradley (Long Snapper-MSU) – Green Bay Packers, Winston Chapman (Long Snapper-MSU) – Miami Dolphins, Logan Cooke (Punter-MSU) – Jacksonville Jaguars, Kenny Moore (Cornerback - VSU) CB – Indianapolis Colts, who was named a 2021 Pro Bowler and Walter Payton Man of Year Nominee and Corliss Waitman (Punter) – Pittsburgh Steelers.

 

Tucker came to Mississippi State as a defensive end and long snapper and played for the Bulldogs as a freshman in 2011 before serving as student coach his final four seasons in Starkville.

 

A native of Demopolis, Ala., Tucker earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mississippi State in 2015.