According to reports, Penn State may lose a major member of its coaching staff to another prestigious school.
Several Monday morning reports claim that Tom Allen, the defensive coordinator for the Nittany Lions, is on the verge of departing to accept the same position at Clemson.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Clemson is negotiating a contract to employ Allen, stating that he is the Tigers’ top target and that a final decision is anticipated in a few days.
In the meantime, Allen has already consented to serve as Clemson’s DC, according to Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports.
Before the 2024 season, James Franklin hired Allen, the former head coach of Indiana, to take over for Manny Diaz, who resigned to take a position as coach at Duke. Being able to lead one of the nation’s best defenses to the College Football Playoff semifinals was a highlight of his first (and perhaps only) season.
In a number of important categories, including scoring defense (eighth, 16.5 points per game), total defense (seventh, 294.8 yards per game), run defense (ninth, 101.9 yards per game), tackles for loss (second, 119), sacks (fifth, 44), and turnovers (T-10th, 26), Penn State concluded the season ranked in the top 10 nationally.
During its drive for the CFP, Penn State’s defense was very strong. In a first-round victory over SMU, the Nittany Lions recorded three sacks and three interceptions, including two pick-sixes. In the CFP quarterfinals at the Fiesta Bowl, they shut down Ashton Jeanty, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, limiting the standout running back to 104 yards on 30 runs. Additionally, the defense performed admirably overall in a 27–24 loss to Notre Dame, save for a few errors.
Allen was selected as a semifinalist for the Broyles Award, which is presented to the best college football assistant coach, during the regular season.
If Allen departs, Penn State’s defense, which has suffered a few setbacks since the Orange Bowl loss, will suffer yet another setback. A potential first overall pick, Abdul Carter, announced his intention to enter the 2025 NFL draft. Jalen Kimber, the cornerback, did the same. It was noteworthy when defensive tackle Zane Durant declared his comeback. The defensive endDani Dennis-Sutton has not yet made his NFL decision public.
Allen, who was also the linebackers coach, would be the first person to leave Penn State’s coaching staff this summer. Defensive line coach Deion Barnes, cornerbacks coach Terry Smith, and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter are the other defensive position coaches for the Nittany Lions.
Prior to Allen’s hiring, Poindexter, who is also the co-defensive coordinator, was a candidate for the play-calling job. Program legend Dan Connor is also employed as an analyst at Penn State. The players really respect Connor, who was a coach who functioned as a sort of linebackers coach.
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Johnny McGonigal