May 4, 2000 5:01 PM AP

WASHINGTON (AP) Frankie Allen, the new men's basketball coach at Howard University, started his job Thursday with no delusions. He is taking over a struggling program with only three victories in two seasons and facing possible NCAA sanctions.

"I told the players I spoke with this morning that I've been to the top and I've been to the bottom," Allen said. "I've been in those locker rooms - it's no fun losing. I can feel their pain. I've felt that pain before.

"But there's no greater satisfaction than the next year to see the smiles on players' faces and see them high-five their first victory celebration."

Allen comes from Tennessee State, where he resigned in March after a 7-22 season. He was 115-140 over nine seasons at TSU and led the school to the Ohio Valley Conference championship in 1992-93.

He replaces Billy Coward, the volunteer kicking coach for Howard's football team, who served as interim basketball coach after Kirk Saulny and two assistants were fired Jan. 7. The school said an internal investigation revealed that Saulny had broken unspecified NCAA and school rules.

In addition, two of Saulny's top recruits were declared ineligible for the season. The NCAA is investigating both the men's and women's teams at Howard.

"There are a number of challenges that Frank will face," athletic director Hank Ford said. "Of course he has to pull the team together that he has to work with now and keep them eligible."

Howard has lost 112 games over five seasons. The Bison were 2-25 in Saulny's first season in 1998-99 and 0-9 when he was dismissed. Howard then won one game under Coward and finished 1-27.

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