CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Illinois running back Aidan Laughery is currently working with some accomplished coaches.

Laughery is coached by Bret Bielema, Thad Ward and James White, among others.

Bielema has three Big Ten titles to his name. White is a three-time Super Bowl champion.

Laughery’s high school coach, despite now having a Super Bowl ring, absolutely left a mark.

When the 2025-26 school year starts, the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley halls will be without Mike Allen for the first time since the spring of 2004. Allen retired from his role as athletic director at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. He served as AD for 22 years and head football coach for 21, retiring from that role after the 2021 season.

Allen led the Falcons to a pair of state titles and 143 wins.

Laughery, who’s senior year happened to coincide with Allen’s final season coaching, is not oblivious to the substantial influence the longtime GCMS AD/coach leaves behind.

“Tremendous positive impact on me,” Laughery said of Allen. “From my freshman year when I was coming in… just empowering me to feel like I was really part of the team, getting a role as a young guy, as a freshman on those teams. So, super happy for Coach Allen.”

GCMS hired Michael Schwenk to replace Allen as AD.