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Penn State football will need a new defensive leader to oversee grand expectations for the upcoming season.
A hire that’s become almost a yearly routine now for head coach James Franklin.
The Nittany Lions must find a new defensive coordinator for the third time in four years after the sudden departure of Tom Allen. The former Indiana head coach moved to take over the Clemson defensive responsibilities on Tuesday after just one year in State College.
He led another Top 10 Nittany Lion defense following an impressive two-year run by Manny Diaz. Diaz, who left in December of 2023 to become Duke’s head coach, flourished at PSU after a long run by current Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry.
So who will lead the Lions next?
Certainly, the new DC will oversee another deep, talented core of defenders, led by defensive tackle Zane Durant and rush-end Dani Dennis-Sutton up front and cornerback A.J. Harris and safety Zakee Wheatley in the back. A Top 10 defense that was among the nation’s very best total yards allowed, rushing yards allowed and scoring.
A defense that expects to lead the Lions to, once again, battle for a Big Ten Championship and make a run in the College Football Playoff.
Here are seven names to know in Penn State’s search:
Anthony Poindexter, Penn State safeties coach
Anthony Poindexter is Franklin’s leading in-house candidate.
Poindexter, 48, just finished his fourth year on the staff and helped Allen coordinate the defense. He’s a former All-American defensive back at Virginia and a College Football Hall of Famer.
He was the Lions’ co-interim defensive coordinator during last season’s Peach Bowl and was a leading candidate for the Virginia head coaching job before that. He’s certainly produced NFL talent, recruits well and is well-regarded among his players.
Jim Knowles, Ohio State defensive coordinator
Aug 31, 2024;…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/finding-penn-state-football-defensive-161226409.html
Author : York Daily Record
Publish date : 2025-01-15 16:12:00
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