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.

After an apparently successful fight against the rare and aggressive muscle cancer rhabdomyosarcoma that was first diagnosed in December 1994, Allen took medical leave in early August when he learned new tumors were forming on his chest and lungs.

Allen led Boise State to the NCAA Division I-AA championship game in 1994, two days before cancer was diagnosed.

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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.

Tulane is the first head job for Bowden, 42. He replaces Buddy Teevens, who was fired Nov. 21 after an 11-45 record in five seasons.

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