News

The Football program at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) recently announced that Assistant Coach and Defensive Specialist Zach Allen was selected for the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and NCAA Leadership Development’s 30 Under 30 Coaches’ Leadership Institute. This prestigious program seeks to identify and train the next generation of professional football coaches and Allen will join coaches from high school, two-year college, and all divisions of NAIA and NCAA programs. As the defensive specialist for the NEO Golden Norsemen, he has just completed his ninth year as a member of the Golden Norse Coaching Staff and he oversaw a productive defensive season. NEO defense ranked second in the region in sacks, tackles, and defensive touchdowns, while also ranking top-ten nationally in sacks. They also ranked third in both interception returns and average interception return yards, with an average return of 22.9 yards per interception. Of the eight conference games, NEO earned the top conference spot for tackles, recording 897.

Along with his duties as a coach, Allen also serves as the recruiting coordinator for the Golden Norsemen. In the last two years alone, his defense has featured thirteen players who transferred on NCAA Division I offers. “Zach is a great young defensive mind,” said Head Coach Clay Patterson. “His enthusiasm and relatability to student-athletes shows in his on-field results. As a recruiter, he is organized and meticulous, which shows in the relationships he develops with coaches across Oklahoma. NEO is lucky to have had Zach for 9 years and it is awesome to see a young, talented coach be recognized for his hard work.”

Allen will join the other qualifying coaches in Nashville, Tenn. in January for the conference. He will engage in interactive lectures and leadership training exercises covering a range of topics from ethics to player safety, and many more. For more information about the Golden Norse Football Program, contact Lisa Severe at lsevere@neo.edu.