After spending the last two years at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tenn., Andy Allison has moved to the Hill.

Coach Darrin Horn, who was hired to replace Dennis Felton on April 15, announced Aug. 8 that the former University of Memphis assistant will be Western’s new basketball director of operations.

“Just the fact that Andy being at a high level at Memphis (impressed me the most),” Horn said. “Andy has great energy and enthusiasm.”

Allison served as Memphis head coach John Calipari’s graduate assistant from 2001-2003. Some of his duties for the Tigers were breaking down films and scouting reports, on-campus recruiting and monitoring players academic progress.

But Allison wanted to climb up the basketball ladder.

“It was a step higher for me,” Allison said. “I loved Memphis and working with Coach Cal, but you have to move on.”

Allison’s job as director of operations is a little less involved with the players.

Even though he can be on the floor with the coaches, he cannot instruct the players individually.

“He’ll be doing a lot of day-to-day things with running the office as well as helping with film,” Horn said.

Allison got his first shot at assistant coaching when he spent five years at his alma mater, Youngstown State. He served as the team manager and student assistant.

He then went on to Mount Union as its assistant coach in the 2000-01 season helping MU finish with a 15-10 record.

Coming into the Western program, Allison has the privilege of leaving one Final Four-experienced coach for another.

Horn was an assistant to Tom Crean at Marquette last season when the Golden Eagles advanced to the Final Four. Calipari went to the semifinals with Massachusetts in 1996.

“It feels great – Coach Horn knows what he’s doing,” Allison said. “Going to the Final Four with Crean in Marquette wasn’t by luck.”

Despite enjoying his two years in Memphis, Allison said opting to move to Bowling Green was a great choice and he’s happy to be here.

But he’s not the only one who feels that way.

“I’m really pleased to get Andy because he has what it takes to be a part of a successful basketball program,” Horn said.

“I feel like he’s a steal.”

Reach Amber North at [email protected].