By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Dan Allen, a Cincinnati native once named the nation's top NCAA Division I-AA football coach, died May 16 of complications from multiple chemical sensitivity.

He was 48.

Funeral services were held last Friday in Boston; a visitation will be held 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Thomas-Justin Memorial in Kenwood. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Thomas-Justin Memorial, followed by burial at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Evendale.

Allen, who kept coaching even after illness confined him to a wheelchair, was 26-63 the past eight seasons at Holy Cross. He was relieved of his duties in November while remaining employed by the university. Previously, he went 35-34 in six years as coach of Boston University.

"He had no quit in him, ever," said former Bengal Bruce Kozerski, who played at Holy Cross when Allen was an assistant there in the early 1980s. "In his eyes, he was going to die regardless, so he might as well do something he loves and do it with people he wants to be with."

Allen battled his illness, which doctors diagnosed as possibly caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, the past two years. He took a four-game leave of absence during the 2002 season, and he coached the 2003 season from a wheelchair.

He had notable success, given that both schools had non-scholarship programs with limited backing. He beat Division I-A Army while at each school.

"Danny was an outstanding football coach, and just an outstanding person overall," said Bengals secondary coach Kevin Coyle, who coached with Allen at Holy Cross in the 1980s. "He was a tremendous leader. People just followed his example."

The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston presented Allen last year with the John Baronian Award, a lifetime achievement honor.

Allen, a 1974 Purcell High School grad, was an honorable mention All-American linebacker at Hanover (Ind.) College. He began his coaching career as an assistant at the University of Dayton, then assisted at Mariemont High School and at Hanover before beginning at Holy Cross in 1982.

Allen is survived by his wife, Laura; sons Mark and Taylor; and a daughter, Danielle.

E-mail nschmidt@enquirer.com