Former Florida Atlantic quarterback Jared Allen was announced as an assistant coach for the 2015 season today by FAU football head coach Charlie Partridge in a statement released by the school.

Allen will take over the running back coach and recruiting coordinator duties formerly held by Roger Harriott. The former coach was originally reported to be stepping down because of his parents’ health, but confirmed over Twitter that his parents were in good condition.

The reason he stepped down was because he accepted a Vice Presidential position at a hotel and travel company in his home country of Jamaica, so he can be closer to his family.

In his only season as a coach for the Owls, Harriott was named 2014 Conference USA recruiter of the year, and coached FAU running backs to a combined 1,200 yards and six touchdowns last season.

Last season, Allen held an off the field role as Director of Player Personnel and External Relations. The first starting QB in FAU football history, Allen passed for 8,000 yards and 50 touchdowns leading FAU to the 2003 Division I-AA (FCS) playoffs.

After attempting to play professionally with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005 to 2006, Allen joined the FAU coaching staff in 2009 as a graduate assistant. He has coached wide receivers, quarterbacks, and tight ends in his six year coaching career