Eddie Allen begins his fifth season in 2012 as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at the University of Rhode Island.

In 2010, the URI special teams unit was instrumental in the Rams' five-win season. Under the direction of Allen, URI ranked in the CAA's top five in four special teams categories. The Rams also held the league's top kickoff return average (23.8). It was Allen's special teams unit that played a major role in the Rams' 17-14 victory over Villanova as it blocked a punt and returned it for the game-winning score over the 2009 defending national champions. At the end of the year, freshman Travis Hurd was selected All-CAA Football First Team as a kicker returner after he led the league with a 26.2 return average.

In 2009, Allen coached punter Tim Edger, who was named All-CAA Second Team after he averaged 41.5 yard per punt, which ranked first in the CAA. In 2008, Rhody special teams' blocked nine kicks and ranked fourth in CAA Football in punt return average (10.1 per return).

Prior to arriving in Kingston, Allen spent three seasons as a member of Greg Schiano's coaching staff at Rutgers. He joined the Scarlet Knights' football program in 2005 as a member of player development and worked as a graduate assistant in 2007.

Allen began his collegiate coaching career as the offensive graduate assistant and video coordinator at Hofstra University in 2003. The following season, Allen moved on to Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kan., where he served as wide receivers coach.

A native of Somerville, N.J., Allen graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from the University of New Haven in 2003. He was a four-year letterwinner at quarterback for the Chargers. Allen and his wife Kristin reside in North Kingstown, R.I.

Updated Sept. 22, 2011