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Penn State Defensive Coordinator Tom Allen Officially Leaving

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Jan 14, 2025 4:32 PM ET

Tom Allen landed a new college football coaching job on Tuesday.

Following seven seasons as Indiana's head coach, Allen stayed in the Big Ten as Penn State's defensive coordinator. He helped the Nittany Lions reach the College Football Playoff semifinal, where they lost 27-24 to Notre Dame.

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Monday that Allen was on the verge of leaving Penn State to take the same job at Clemson. The Tigers officially announced the hiring on Tuesday.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said Allen "checked every box" for what he wanted in a defensive coordinator.

"We've got a great football coach — and a great leader of men — coming to Clemson," Swinney said. "... He brings a ton of experience and was highly recommended by some of the best people in this business. He is obviously coming off of a great year as the defensive coordinator at Penn State, and we're excited to welcome him as our defensive coordinator here at Clemson."

According to Thamel, Allen received a three-year contract starting at $1.9 million annually.

"I'm thankful for the opportunity that Coach Swinney has given me to lead the defense," Allen said. "I have admired him from afar for years and look forward to working for him and with his defensive staff."

Under Allen's watch, Penn State allowed 16.5 points per game during the 2024 season. The Nittany Lions ranked seventh in total defense, relinquishing 294.8 yards per game.

Penn State stuffed SMU to 253 yards and returned two of its three interceptions for touchdowns in a first-round CFP victory. The defense then stymied Ashton Jeanty to a season-low 104 rushing yards on 30 carries in a Fiesta Bowl win over Boise State. The Heisman Trophy runner-up didn't find the end zone for the first time since Week 3.

However, Penn State's five sacks and two interceptions weren't enough to defeat Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. The Nittany Lions permitted 11 third-down conversions.

Allen takes over a Clemson defense that has allowed more points per game in each of the last three seasons. The Tigers ceded 160.6 rushing yards per game in 2024, the ACC's second-highest tally after Florida State.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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