Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen leaving the B1G for Clemson DC job
Penn State defensive coordinator and former Indiana head coach Tom Allen is reportedly set to leave the Nittany Lions program.
Penn State’s defensive coordinator is reportedly leaving for the same role at Clemson, according to ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel on Monday morning.
“Clemson is working toward a deal to hire Penn State DC Tom Allen as the school’s new defensive coordinator. He’s the top target and a final decision is expected in the upcoming days,” Thamel reported on Monday.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel, also ,says Allen’s move is being heavily influenced by a desire to live closer to his daughters, who both reside in the Carolinas.
Allen was fired in 2023 after seven seasons as Indiana’s head coach after going 33-49. Allen’s departure made way for the Hoosiers to hire current head coach Curt Cignetti. Allen went on to become the defensive coordinator for James Franklin at Penn State. Penn State made the College Football Playoff in 2024 but recently loss to Notre Dame in thrilling fashion in the Orange Bowl 27-24.
The Nittany Lions under Allen had one of the nations better defenses, finishing eighth in points allowed per game (16.5) on their way to CFP semifinals. They also ranked seventh in opposing total yards per game (295 ypg) and ninth in opposing total rushing yards per game (101 ypg) and edge rusher Abdul Carter is likely projected as a top five pick in this year’s upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
Allen also spent time at Arkansas State as an assistant head coach (2011), three years at Ole Miss coaching linebackers and special teams (2012-2014), and a year at South Florida (USF) as its defensive coordinator in 2015.
Penn State is now on the search for their third defensive coordinator in four years, let’s hope James Franklin and Penn State don’t go after currently Indiana DC Bryan Haines.
Penn State’s Tom Allen has agreed to become the new defensive coordinator at Clemson, a source tells @Davsport.co.uk
Clemson and Allen, who ESPN previously said Clemson was working toward getting a deal done with, are expected to get a deal done in the next day or so.…