Pepperdine University Athletics

Curtis Allen, who played for Lorenzo Romar at Washington and was a long-time assistant at Washington State, rejoined his former mentor as an assistant coach with the Pepperdine men’s basketball program, and he’s in his sixth season here in 2023-24.
 
Allen also has ties to Pepperdine associate head coach Ken Bone, having been an assistant for him at both Portland State and Washington State for a total of 11 seasons. Bone was also an assistant on Washington’s staff when Allen was a student-athlete there.
 
In his first season with the Waves, Allen helped Pepperdine achieve one of the nation’s top turnarounds, a 10-win improvement (from six to 16) in 2018-19. The Waves won the postseason College Basketball Invitational (CBI) in 2021.
 
“Curtis is very knowledgeable and an experienced coach,” said Romar in March 2018 at the time of Allen’s hiring. “He has recruited at a high level for a number of years. He understands me, having played for me, and he understands our system. It’s very gratifying to be able to bring him on staff. I’m really excited to have him here and to be able to work with him.”
 
Said Allen: “It’s really exciting being here knowing the both of them, and having played for Coach Romar. He has such a commitment to his student-athletes on and off the court, and that’s what makes me look forward to working with him. He’s obviously one of the most respected coaches in the country and to be able to work with him on one of the most beautiful campuses in the country is really exciting.”
 
Allen spent his first five seasons at Washington State (beginning in 2009-10) under Bone, and the next four under Ernie Kent. Among his highlights with the Cougars was a 22-win season in 2010-11 and appearances in the 2011 NIT semifinals and the 2012 CBI championship round. He coached future NBA All-Star Klay Thompson (brother of former Pepperdine standout Mychel Thompson).
 
He began his coaching career at Portland State under Bone, then followed him to Washington State. Allen was an assistant for four seasons with the Vikings (2005-06 through 2008-09), helping the team post a 77-49 overall record. In both 2008 and 2009, the team won a school-record 23 games, won Big Sky Conference Tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Portland State also won the Big Sky regular-season title in 2008.
 
Allen, who graduated from Washington in 2005 with a degree in general studies, played four seasons for the Huskies (2001-04), the last two with Romar and Bone as his coaches. He played in the 2004 NCAA Tournament and competed in 117 career games, including 51 starts. He left Washington as its most accurate free throw shooter in school history at 86.7% (202-for-233). He also made 151 three-pointers to rank second all-time. He was eighth in assists (286) and 10th in steals (99).
 
A native of Tacoma, Washington, Allen’s coaching career began with one year as an assistant coach at University Prep in Seattle before moving on to Portland State.
 
Allen is married (his wife’s name is Alissa) and they have three sons, Trey, Noah and Jalen. The children have gained some fame online as jalenandcompany on Instagram and TikTok.