‘I’m Going to Get Up’: The legacy of Coach Chris Allen lives on

The Dreher High School community is grieving the loss of Coach Chris Allen. He was a teacher, mentor, and father figure whose influence reached far beyond the football field.

Allen, 37, died unexpectedly on November 5th from a pulmonary embolism. Students and staff describe the school feeling “like a dark cloud” without him.

“He wasn’t just a coach,” one student said. “He was a father to me. Long live Allen.”

A devoted husband and father of four, Allen was known for his faith , service, and compassion. His widow, Shannon, said he lived his love through action, even spending late nights handing out blankets and jackets to the homeless.

“Before I could ask, ‘Why me?’ he let me know I’d been chosen for this walk,” she said.

As Dreher mourns, his family and team has found strength in one of Allen’s final messages — words he shared with his son: “I’m okay. I’m going to get up.”

“I’m so grateful to say I’ve been married to an angel,” Shannon said.