Tom Allen has coached in some of college football's most iconic venues, but this Saturday, the veteran defensive coordinator will experience one of the sport's greatest traditions for the first time as a Clemson Tiger. And he's already done his homework.
"I did my practice run down the hill," Allen said with a laugh on Tuesday. "Last night, we had practice in the stadium, which was awesome. So I'm trying to, with nobody noticing me, get my path."
Allen is fully embracing the pageantry of his first game in Death Valley, but he's also a pragmatist. His biggest concern isn't the run itself, but the frantic journey from the field to his post in the coaches' box before the first defensive snap.
"I gotta run down the hill, I gotta run across the field, I gotta get the golf cart and I get up to the press box before they're on defense," he explained. "So, that might be the biggest challenge of the night."
Jokes aside, Allen can't wait to soak in the atmosphere and leverage the home crowd.
"Just the whole thrill of the environment, I can't wait," he said. "Historic venue... Can't wait to feel it, see it, experience it... It's called home field advantage for a reason, and it is an advantage."