John Allen was the head coach of the NFL Europa team Berlin Thunder. His position there was announced on January 29, 2007, and replaced Rick Lantz. Allen initially started playing football - as most coaches - as wide receiver at James Madison University before starting a career in the coaching ranks. Now Allen enters his fifth season in NFL Europa, having spent the previous three years as offensive coordinator of the Amsterdam Admirals.

Allen's first season in NFL Europa league was in 2003 when he served as wide receivers coach of Thunder. His year with them was Allen's first on the professional coaching level, having previously enjoyed successful jobs at Bucknell University (2002) and Lock Haven University, where he worked for six years, rising to the position of offensive coordinator.

His influence on Berlin Thunder was clearly visible in 2003 as seven of his receivers caught 15 passes or more and Berlin scored 20 times on touchdown passes to rank overall second in the NFL Europa League. When Allen moved on to another NFL Europa team in 2004, the Amsterdam Admirals, he guided Amsterdam’s offense to second in the league’s offensive rankings, averaging 316.6 yards per game. Furthermore, two of the top three positions in receiving yards were occupied by Admiral players. In 2005 Amsterdam went one better under Allen's guidance and supervision and established NFL Europa's most potent attack, averaging no less than 357.4 yards and 25.1 points per game.