New defensive coordinator Tom Allen is “super excited” about being at Penn State

Dec. 20—Tom Allen didn’t know when he would receive his next professional opportunity after Indiana fired him late last month, but he knew he wanted to coach football again.

When Penn State’s James Franklin approached him a few weeks later, he was receptive.

“I’m a football coach and I love what I do,” Allen said. “This opportunity that presented itself in this time frame was one I immediately had interest in. It probably happened a little quicker than I expected.

“Getting to know Coach Franklin and the way he does things, I was super excited. When the opportunity arose, we went after it.”

The 53-year-old Allen was introduced Wednesday as Penn State’s new defensive coordinator and linebacker coach. He replaces Manny Diaz, who left the Lions earlier this month after two seasons to become head coach at Duke.

The last time Allen served only as a defensive coordinator was 2016, his first season at Indiana. He was the Hoosiers head coach from 2017-23 and posted a 33-49 record, including several years in which he called the defensive signals.

He said he has no plans to use his new job as a springboard to another head coaching position.

“I’m not coming here for that purpose, I’ll tell ya that,” Allen said. “I’m coming here to be defensive coordinator. I’m 53 years old. I’ve had some great opportunities. I’m so fired up to be in this position at this place. I’ve been through that the last seven years and learned a ton.

“I feel like I’ve grown so much since the last time I was a defensive coordinator. I want to use that to be a better defensive coordinator and a better assistant.”

Allen built a strong reputation as a defensive coach in college stops at Lambuth, Drake, Arkansas State, Ole Miss and South Florida. He earlier coached 15 years at high schools in Florida and his native Indiana.

“Do you study the data? Yes,” Franklin…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/defensive-coordinator-tom-allen-super-044800699.html

Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.

Publish date : 2023-12-21 04:48:00

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