T
om Allen hit the ground running
as the new defensive coordinator
at Penn State. The longtime col-
lege football coach was cleared to talk
to recruits on the night of Dec. 19. By the
next morning, he was getting to know
the Nittany Lions' 2024 signees, current
members of the roster and the coaching
staff.
It was a swift transition for the
53-year-old Allen. After seven seasons
as head coach at Indiana, he was dis-
missed on Nov. 26. The New Castle,
Ind., native was then hired by James
Franklin in mid-December to succeed
Manny Diaz at Penn State. When he
spoke during an introductory news con-
ference on Dec. 20, Allen made it clear
he was thrilled about his new job and
was ready to get going.
Tom Allen has a lofty standard to uphold
and a history of success to draw upon
in his new role as PSU's defensive coordinator
G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G . P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M
Positive
Pressure
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THE DEFENSE
Allen comes to Penn State after having
served as a defensive specialist at Indiana,
South Florida, Ole Miss and several other
smaller colleges and high schools.
PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER
