Roanoke College

Franklin "Frankie" Allen, a native of Charlottesville, VA and graduate of Roanoke College, is considered to be one of the most prolific college basketball players in Virginia Intercollegiate Basketball History.

In 1967, Allen became the first African American student-athlete to attend Roanoke College.  Prior to Roanoke College, he was an All-State standout at Lane High School in Charlottesville where he led his team to 40-8 record in his final two seasons, advancing to back-to-back state semifinal appearances.
 
Rounding out his college basketball playing career in 1970-71, Allen became the all-time leader in points (2,780) and rebounds (1,758) at all NCAA levels in Virginia. Over his four seasons at Roanoke College, he averaged 24 points per game, and 15.2 rebounds per game. Allen was the first individual to ever be named to the AP Virginia All-State team all four years. Overall, Roanoke compiled an 82 win, 34 loss record during Allen’s career including two Mason-Dixon Conference Championships and two NCAA Tournament berths.
 
An outstanding part of Roanoke’s rise to the top in basketball, Allen became the first player in Roanoke College history to have his jersey retired.  Allen holds 18 individual marks in the Maroon records book, and was named Virginia College Division Player in the Year three years in a row (1969-71).  He earned four First-Team All-Mason Dixon Conference selections, Mason Dixon Conference Player of the Year in 1970-71, NCAA College Division All-American honors (1969-71) and many other honors during his stay in Salem.

After college, he became a high school coach at Albermarle High School and in three years won two district championships and was named Central Virginia Coach of the Year.

Allen followed Charlie Moir to Virginia Tech in 1976 and spent all 11 seasons under his college coach as his top assistant.  In 1987, Allen took over the reigns as head coach of the Hokies and remained there until 1991.  In 1988, Allen earned Metro Conference, Virginia Sportswriters, and National Rookie Coach of the Year awards at Virginia Tech.
 
He went on to become head coach at Tennessee State from 1991 until 2000. In 1993, he was the Ohio Valley Conference and Basketball Times National Coach of the Year after leading Tennessee State to a 15-win improvement, which was the best in the entire country. He also led the Tigers to an OVC Championship and the school's first post-season appearance. Allen led Tennessee State to a second-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 1994.  In 1995, he was named OVC Co-Coach of the Year, leading his squad to their third-straight conference crown.  He coached two-time OVC Player of the Year and NBA Draftee, Carlos Rogers.  
 
Howard University (2000-05), where he dramatically improved the program (only won three games in two seasons prior to arrival, 3-52).  In just his second season, Allen guided the Bison to the school’s first winning season (18-13) in 16 years.  He is currently the head basketball coach at University of Maryland-Eastern Shore.

He is a 32-year member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), serving on various committees and the NABC Regional Advisory Board. He also is a member of the Black Coaches Association.  Allen has served as a coach at the collegiate level for 32 years, 18 of which was spent as a Head Coach.