The tone of yesterday’s press conference was set as soon as Jerome Allen walked onto the floor of the Palestra.
The newest John R. Rockwell Head Coach of Penn Men’s Basketball was warmly received with a standing ovation from an audience that consisted of friends, family, players and alumni.
After a brief opening by Athletic Director Steve Bilsky, Allen was formally announced as the 19th coach of the Penn program whose renowned history he helped shape.
“It feels like I’m living a dream,” Allen said.
A two-time Ivy Player of the Year and former NBA draft pick, the new head coach delivered an emotional speech, during which he spent most of his time crediting his supporters — including assistants Mike Martin, John Gallagher and Vince Curran, all of whom will be retained — with helping him attain the position.
“There are a number of people I have to thank, because as I always say, it’s not about me,” Allen said.
The Philadelphia native also shared several short anecdotes, ranging from his time as a starting point guard at Penn 19 years ago to his reaction after hearing the coaching decision Tuesday.
“I didn’t cut my hair, I didn’t shave, I didn’t buy a new suit,” Allen said. “Because as a staff we’ve just been approaching this as if there is no other way. This is the only thing we know how to do: to continue to prepare these guys for the future.
“I just want to implement it in my own style … and try to put a product out there every one of you would be proud of.”
As much as Allen attempted to steer the limelight away from himself, it was clear from the time he walked into the room that the Penn fans were eager to usher in the Jerome Allen era after a long waiting period.
While the Penn Athletics Department knew since December that a coaching decision would have to be made in the spring, it still kept the entire Penn community in suspense.
“[The waiting period] gives you a lot of time to think about things, talk to people and weigh things and confirm your stance,” Bilsky said.
But while Bilsky and his advisory committee mulled over their numerous options, and the rest of the Penn community seemed to hold its breath, the basketball team did the opposite.
“We kind of kept it business as usual,” junior Jack Eggleston said. “We just acted as if [Allen] was going to be our guy and lucky enough, he is.”
When Allen was finally named head coach Tuesday afternoon, the players rejoiced.
“I’m excited,” sophomore Zack Rosen said. “I think by all accounts, it’s the right thing. I’m looking forward to all the work we’re going to put in.”
Now that the head coaching position has been filled, the Quakers are looking to Allen to lead Penn back to its winning ways, just as he did as a player when he starred on the Quakers team that posted three consecutive undefeated Ivy League titles in the 1990s.
“I told [Bilsky] I was going to do my best to get the brand of basketball the Penn community is used to seeing,” Allen said. “We will get it done.”
“We know it’s been a rough few years,” junior Tyler Bernardini added. “I’ll just tell [the Penn community] to be excited, because we sure are excited and ready to get healthy, and we’re going to start winning some games.”
Bilsky said he believes he picked the right man to accomplish that goal given Allen’s blend of experience, knowledge and one extra ingredient that may have put him over the top.
“I like his wardrobe. I like the way he looks,” Bilsky said. “He represents the school well.”
Add enthusiasm to that list after Allen summed up his feelings by adding, “As my mom would say, ‘yeah boy, we did it!’”
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