sonny allen (march 8, 1936 – september 11, 2020) was an american college basketball coach. he was the head coach at old dominion university from 1965 to 1975. he later coached southern methodist university during the 1975-76 until the 1979-80 seasons. he then coached the university of nevada, reno from 1980 to 1987. allen was born in moundsville, west virginia.