Penn State’s leader, now in his 12th season in State College, must decide on his defensive coordinator for 2025. Tom Allen left to take the Clemson DC job. Franklin’s next hire will be his fifth full-time DC at Penn State.

Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen is reportedly leaving the Nittany Lions program to coach at Clemson. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who says Allen will be Clemson’s new defensive coordinator.

Penn State’s defensive coordinator position remains open as of early Wednesday afternoon. James Franklin must replace Tom Allen, the former Indiana head coach who spent one season with the Nittany Lions before taking the Clemson defensive coordinator job earlier this week.