Pokey Allen’s Cancer Returns

Pokey Allen, who returned from a bout with cancer to coach Boise State, resigned Wednesday after learning that the cancer has returned.

Allen, 53, made the announcement after a CT scan Tuesday that revealed cancer cells are once again active. Small tumors on his lungs that had not increased in size since early August had grown significantly in the past month.

Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier said Allen would be reassigned to other duties in the school’s athletic department, and a search would begin for a replacement.

Allen led Boise State to the NCAA Division I-AA championship game in 1994.

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Tommy Bowden became the third member of the family to take over a major college football program when he was hired as coach at Tulane.

Bowden joins his father, Bobby Bowden, the longtime coach at Florida State, and younger brother Terry, the coach at Auburn who had employed Tommy as offensive coordinator.

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Joe Hollis, offensive coordinator for Rose Bowl-bound Ohio State, will be hired today as coach at Arkansas State.

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Charlie Weatherbie, who led Navy to an 8-3 record and its first bowl bid since 1981, has decided to stay at the academy, saying he was no longer interested in coaching elsewhere. He had been contacted by Baylor, Boston College and Pittsburgh.

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Grambling State Coach Eddie Robinson told ESPNEWS that he met with University President Dr. Ray Hicks to discuss his future, and that Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster will recommend that the winningest coach in college football history be allowed to coach another year. Robinson reportedly was asked to step down after 54 years.