Bucknell University Athletics
John Allen, Eric Lewis Join Bison Football Coaching Staff
4/10/2002 8:00:00 AM | Football
April 10, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - John Allen, most recently the offensive coordinator at Lock Haven University, and Eric Lewis, a graduate assistant coach at Michigan State University, have joined the Bucknell football staff as assistant coaches, head coach Tom Gadd recently announced.
Allen, who will coach the Bison wide receivers, is a 1996 graduate of James Madison University and a former wide receiver for the Dukes. He made his coaching debut in 1995 as an assistant at Spotswood High School in Penn Laird, Va., before moving on to Lock Haven in 1996.
While at LHU, Allen served various stints coaching special teams, wide receivers and defensive backs, before being promoted to offensive coordinator in February 2000. Allen's many off-field duties during his six-year stint at Lock Haven included film exchange coordinator, recruiting coordinator and pro scouting liaison.
Under Allen's watchful eye, Bryan McGinty became Lock Haven's all-time leading receiver in 1996, Jeremy Burkett became a two-time All-PSAC performer who went on to sign an Arena Football League contract, Marcus Buckley was named the league's rookie of the year in 2000 after averaging 22.7 yards per catch, Jermaine Ballard finished fourth in the nation in punt return yardage, and Ed Galicynski became the school's No. 2 all-time passer in 2000.
Allen's new cast will be equally formidable. Both of Bucknell's starting wideouts return in 2002, led by All-Patriot Leaguer Jim Horan, who would become the school's all-time leading receiver this fall by matching the output from his fine 2001 campaign. Albert Marquardt also returns, as do the talented Tim Johnson, Daris Wilson, Evan Crawford, Nisan Trotter and Andrew Baumberger.
Lewis is the new mentor for the Bucknell defensive backs. The son of veteran NFL offensive guru Sherman Lewis, who is currently an offensive special assistant with the Detroit Lions, Eric Lewis was a four-year starter at cornerback at San Diego State. In 1998 he earned a degree in finance and business administration and is currently working towards a master's in athletic administration at Michigan State. Last season we worked as a defensive GA with the Spartans, with responsibilities ranging from video analysis and preparation to scouting reports to recruiting.
An honorable mention All-Western Athletic Conference performer in 1995 and a Second Team All-WAC pick in 1998, Lewis is San Diego State's all-time leader in pass breakups. He began his coaching career at St. Augustine School in San Diego, Calif., prior to moving on to Michigan State.
In his first spring practice at Bucknell, Lewis will have to fill open starting positions at free safety and cornerback, while he welcomes back returning starters Jerome Acy at the other corner and Virgil Rush at strong safety.
Spring practice continues throughout the next two weeks, culminating in the annual Spring Game on April 21 at 2 p.m. at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
