As Franklin said before hiring Allen last year, Penn State's defense is not in rebuild mode. The program is about winning now, which the returns of Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki have foreshadowed. Franklin is chasing hardware next season, and the defensive coordinator hire will reflect that.

Clemson has hired Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen for the same role with the Tigers. The move was finalized Tuesday by the school’s Board of Trustees Compensation Committee.

Haines was a finalist for the Broyles Award (top assistant) in 2024 and a semifinalist for the award in 2023. During Allen’s one season in State College, Penn State, the Lions finished No. 7 in FBS in total defense (294.8), No. 8 in scoring defense (16.5) and No. 9 in rushing defense (101.9).

Tom Allen wore a weary smile in Penn State's locker room after the Orange Bowl as he surveyed a silent, still group of players hurting over the Nittany Lions' 27-24 loss to Notre Dame. Penn State's defensive coordinator, at least for that moment, tried to find context.

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.

Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen is leaving for Clemson. Here are potential candidates to replace him.

Tom Allen reportedly is closing in on the same job at Clemson. The Nittany Lions' top two running backs will be back, though.

Allen most notably spent seven years as Indiana’s head coach from 2017-23. This year, he worked as Penn State’s defensive coordinator and helped the school reach its first College Football Playoff under coach James Franklin.

Defensive coordinator Tom Allen is leaving Penn State after one season to take the same job at Clemson, according to several reports Monday. Allen spent the previous seven seasons at Indiana as the Hoosiers head coach before he was fired after the 2023 season. Nittany Lions coach James Franklin quickly hired him.

Clemson is working toward a deal to hire Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen as the school's new defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN. Allen has emerged as Clemson's top target, and the sides expect a decision formalized in the upcoming days.

Clemson Athletics and Dabo Swinney officially announced Tom Allen will be the new defensive Coordinator. Allen joins the Tigers following a short stint at Penn State.