Penn State has officially lost its defensive coordinator. Tom Allen, after one just season with the Nittany Lions, was formally named Clemson’s new defensive coordinator on Tuesday afternoon.

Tom Allen wasn't looking for a new job after Penn State finished its run to the College Football Playoff semifinals, but the right job found him anyway.Allen netted a $300,000 raise in trading Penn State for Clemson but,

Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen has reportedly emerged as the front-runner for the same job at Clemson. Here is why Dabo Swinney might want Allen.

Allen replaced Manny Diaz as Penn State's defensive coordinator after Diaz became the head coach at Duke. PSU’s defense was one of the best in college football in 2024 and allowed as many yards per play overall as Clemson did per rushing attempt. Opposing offenses averaged just 3.1 yards a carry against the Nittany Lions.

Head Coach Dabo Swinney and Clemson Football announced today that Clemson has hired Tom Allen as Defensive Coordinator. The hire was finalized Tuesday by the Clemson University Board of Trustees Compensation Committee.

Tom Allen, the former Penn State defensive coordinator and Indiana head coach, will not hit the road to recruit. Dabo Swinney said Ben Boulware will do that.

The Clemson Tigers have been very busy this offseason trying to make the improvements necessary to help this team win a national championship next year. It was a strong campaign for the Tigers in 2024.