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

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.

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 agreed to take the same position at Clemson, the school announced on Tuesday. Allen, who just finished his first season as Penn State's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach,

Allen, the former Indiana head coach and Penn State defensive coordinator, will make $1.9 million in total salary in 2025, $2 million in 2026 and $2.1 million in 2027. That makes him the highest paid assistant on staff, jumping offensive coordinator Garrett Riley (annual salary of $1.75 million).

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 on a deal to make Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen its new defensive coordinator.

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.

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.

Tom Allen carries a wealth of coaching experience, dating back to 1992. He will be tasked with reviving Clemson's defense after a rough 2024 season.