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Penn State football head coach James Franklin will be making his third defensive coordinator hire in four years.
This comes after Clemson University officially hired former Nittany Lion defensive leader Tom Allen on Tuesday for the same position. Allen has reportedly agreed to a three-year contract worth an average of $2 million, according to reports.
Allen, the former Indiana head coach, oversaw yet another Top 10 Penn State defense this past season − one in which it won a school-record 13 games on its way to the College Football Playoff semifinals. His defense was known best for its ability to stop the run, sack the quarterback and keep points off the board.
It featured a dynamic edge-rushing combination of Dani Dennis-Sutton and Abdul Carter, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after moving from his previous linebacking role. Carter is expected to be one of the top picks in this spring’s NFL Draft.
Allen’s quick exit comes less than a week after the Lions suffered a heartbreaking loss in those CFP semifinals to Notre Dame. But also as the team quickly begins building and transforming into a 2025 playoff favorite through moves in recruiting, retention and the transfer portal.
STATE COLLEGE, PA – APRIL 13: Defensive coordinator Tom Allen looks on during the Penn State Spring Football Game at Beaver Stadium on April 13, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Lions defense will feature a load of returning talent, including all-stars Zane Durant (tackle) and Dani Dennis-Sutton (rush-end), both who recently announced they were forgoing the NFL Draft.
Penn State hired Allen last December to replace Manny Diaz, who left for the head coaching job at Duke. Diaz enjoyed a remarkable two year-run at PSU after taking over for longtime coordinator Brent Pry following the 2021…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/official-penn-state-football-needs-213712880.html
Author : York Daily Record
Publish date : 2025-01-14 21:37:00
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