Clemson hiring Penn State’s Tom Allen as DC after leading Nittany Lions’ top-10 defense

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Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen has agreed to take the same position at Clemson, according to 247Sports’/CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. Allen, who just finished his first season as Penn State’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, guided the Nittany Lions to a top-10 defensive finish in 2024. 

Penn State ranked seventh nationally in total defense (294.7 yards per game) and eighth nationally in scoring defense (16.5 points per game). The Nittany Lions also finished ninth in the FBS while allowing just 101.8 yards rushing per game. 

Penn State leaned heavily on its defense during its run to the College Football Playoff semifinal round. PSU allowed a total of 24 points in its first two games against SMU and Boise State, respectively. Boise State running back and Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty rushed for a season-low 104 yards on 30 carries and posted just his second game all season without a rushing touchdown against the Nittany Lions. 

The Nittany Lions also logged eight interceptions during their run through the playoff. Penn State allowed its opponent to score above 20 points just three times in 12 regular season games. 

Under Allen’s tutelage, Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and unanimous All-American honors while posting 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss — both of which led the Big Ten — and 65 total quarterback pressures. Carter is widely regarded as a top-five prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Prior to joining Penn State’s staff, Allen served as the head coach at Indiana from 2017-23. He posted a…


Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/clemson-hiring-penn-states-tom-allen-as-dc-after-leading-nittany-lions-top-10-defense/

Author : Will Backus

Publish date : 2025-01-13 16:12:00

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