RENO, Nevada - Former SMU coach Sonny Allen passed away on Friday, September 11. He was 84.

Sonny Allen coached the Mustangs for five seasons from 1975-80, going 61-77 with a 36-44 SWC record. In his first season, the Mustangs finished third in the SWC with a 10-6 mark and he was named UPI's Coach of the Year for the Southwest Conference.

He came to SMU after 10 years at Old Dominion and winning 1975 NCAA Div. II title.

He played four years of basketball at Marshall (1955-59) and one season of baseball. He then coached the Marshall freshmen basketball team for five of the next six years with one year at Huntington H.S.

After SMU, his coaching roles included serving as the head coach at Nevada from 1980-87, and the Sacramento Monarchs (WNBA) from 1999-2001.

"The Mustang basketball family mourns with the family and friends of coach Sonny Allen. I was fortunate enough to know him, and to know that he was an outstanding coach and person. He will be missed." - Tim Jankovich, SMU Men's Basketball Head Coach

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