It might seem odd to see a defensive coordinator for a team that reached the College Football Playoff semifinals to take a new job.

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,

Dabo Swinney’s philosophy is “Big people beat little people.” Translation. Swinney wants to dominate the lines of scrimmage, which is what drew him to former Penn

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

The Clemson Tigers have been very busy this offseason trying to make the improvements necessary to help this team win a national championship next year. It was a strong campaign for the Tigers in 2024.

Clemson has hired Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen for the same role with the Tigers, a move that was finalized Tuesday by the school's Board of Trustees Compensation Committee. Allen has more than than three decades of coaching experience,

Haines was a finalist for the Broyles Award (top assistant) in 2024 and a semifinalist for the award in 2023. During Allen’s one season in State College, Penn State, the Lions finished No. 7 in FBS in total defense (294.8), No. 8 in scoring defense (16.5) and No. 9 in rushing defense (101.9).

Tom Allen reportedly is closing in on the same job at Clemson. The Nittany Lions' top two running backs will be back, though.

Allen replaced Manny Diaz as Penn State's defensive coordinator after Diaz became the head coach at Duke. PSU’s defense was one of the best in college football in 2024 and allowed as many yards per play overall as Clemson did per rushing attempt. Opposing offenses averaged just 3.1 yards a carry against the Nittany Lions.

Tom Allen is another well-paid hire for Clemson coach Dabo Swinney's staff, which includes assistants Garrett Riley, Matt Luke, Chris Rumph, and Nick Eason.