Friday night at Embassy Suites in downtown Lincoln, where Husker gymnastics alumni and friends from across the country will gather to roast a man who’s highly regarded for both his technical skill as a coach and his entertaining personality.
Francis has a way of making people smile. He’s an original.
“You could also say he’s a pioneer, the father of gymnastics in the state of Nebraska,” Nebraska women’s coach Dan Kendig said. “Francis started the first age group program in Lincoln. He was the Husker men’s coach for four decades, but he was gymnastics, period. I sometimes thought he went to bat more for our women’s team than his own team.
“He was there to see great gymnastics, period.”
The 67-year-old Allen said Monday he’s having no second thoughts about retiring. He grew frustrated and weary pouring over line-item budgets for his program. It was getting ridiculous, he said.
He plans to spend more time coaching at his Nebraska School of Gymnastics, as well as continuing to make leather grips for gymnasts. In fact, Allen has preliminary plans to manufacture his specialized grips at a factory in Norman, Okla.
Who knew Allen made grips for former Olympic greats Mary Lou Retton and Shannon Miller, among others? …
Thanks Francis, for all your many years of contribution.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 