Mark Allen, pitching coach for the University of Illinois baseball team since 2020, died Wednesday at age 49, his family announced Thursday.
“Today is a difficult day for Illinois baseball,” said head coach Dan Hartleb. “Coach Allen was an exceptional leader, coach, husband and father. He impacted the lives of so many players and coaches here at Illinois and all around the country. Mark will be dearly missed within our program and by his network of hundreds of former players that he continually stayed connected with. Our thoughts and prayers are with Angela, Skylar, Avery and the Allen family.”
The Illini won 121 games across five seasons under Allen’s coaching. Ten different pitchers inked contracts with MLB teams during Allen’s tenure, including Jack Crowder and Logan Tabeling, following the team’s 2024 Big Ten championship season.
Allen had stepped away from the team early last year, taking a personal leave after being diagnosed with cancer. Zach Luevanos was recently named interim pitching coach for the upcoming season.
Allen was devoted to baseball, playing college ball from 1994 to 1998 before entering the coaching circuit. He worked for both the Cleveland Guardians and San Francisco Giants before joining Illinois in October 2019.
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Chicago White Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz, who worked with Allen within the Giants organization, said baseball lost “a very special individual.”
“Mark, it was an honor to work with you and become close friends,” Katz said via X. “One of the best teachers to ever have been around. You were one of a kind! I will miss you buddy.”
A Celebration of Life for Allen will be held later this year. Details will be announced on FightingIllini.com.
