CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois pitching coach Mark Allen will be taking a temporary health-related leave from coaching.
"I will be taking a temporary leave from coaching to focus on my health," Allen said. "Earlier this month, I was diagnosed with cancer and have begun treatments that will keep me away from baseball. It will be extremely difficult to be away from the team right now, but it will be important to stay focused on my health. I will remain in communication with our coaching staff and pitchers as much as possible while away. Thank you to my wife Angela, my daughters Skylar and Avery, Coach Hartleb, and our entire staff for their support."Â
"Our thoughts are with Coach Allen and his family," head coach Dan Hartleb said. "We are committed to doing everything we can to help Mark get through this tough time and getting him back in the dugout as soon as possible."
Allen is in his fifth season as Illinois' pitching coach in 2024. He joined the Fighting Illini in October 2019 after nine seasons in professional baseball, including serving as the San Francisco Giants' pitching coordinator during the 2019 season.
Allen has totaled over 25 years of coaching and scouting experience in collegiate and professional baseball.Â
