Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1531683
1 2 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State lost defensive coordinator Tom Allen to Clemson shortly after its season ended in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Allen caught many observers off guard when he decided to join Dabo Swinney's staff after just one season with the Nit- tany Lions. Penn State ranked among the very best in the nation in multiple catego- ries, finishing eighth overall in scoring defense (16.5 points per game), seventh in total de- fense (294.8 yards per game) and fifth in opponent red zone scoring percentage (70.7). But the unit's success wasn't enough to keep the New Cas- tle, Ind., native at PSU. Allen cited his admiration for Swin- ney and his desire to be closer to his adult children in ex- plaining his decision to make a lateral move. "I'm thankful for the oppor- tunity that Coach Swinney has given me to lead the defense. I have admired him from afar for years and look forward to working for him and with his defensive staff," Allen said in a released statement. "I remain incredibly grateful for the opportunity James Franklin gave me to be part of Penn State football, a championship- caliber program in every respect that will continue to compete at the highest level. "My family is very important to me, and this move provides us the unique opportunity of living close to our daughters. Our children have made countless sacrifices throughout the years in the coaching profession, and this move brings us together." A c c o rd i n g to Jo n B l a u o f T h e (Charleston) Post and Courier, Clemson is giving Allen a three-year deal worth $6 million. It starts at $1.9 million for the 2025 season and goes up from there. Allen's exit set in motion a national search for a new defensive coordinator. As of Jan. 20, Franklin was still looking. One of the names that was quickly floated as a potential candidate for the position was former Nittany Lion cor- nerback D'Anton Lynn. Considered a rising star in the coaching profession, the 35-year-old Lynn had just com- pleted his first season at USC after stints at UCLA and in the NFL. The specula- tion about a possible return to his alma mater abated when he signed a contract extension with the Trojans. While the details of Lynn's new pact were not re- leased, the Los Angeles Times reported that his original deal was worth about $2 million per year. Other names that came up in the days after Allen's departure were Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines and Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda. In addition, the Lions were believed to be mulling an in-house hire, with safeties coach Anthony Poin- dexter taking charge of the defense. A member of Penn State's staff since 2021, Poindexter has been listed as co-defen- sive coordinator throughout his tenure, a title he also held during his previous stop at Purdue (2017-20). The Lions' next defensive coordinator will be the team's fourth in the past five years and the fifth of Franklin's tenure at Penn State. Allen succeeded Manny Diaz, who oversaw the defense in 2022 and '23 before leaving to become head coach at Duke. Diaz had replaced Brent Pry, a longtime Frank- lin assistant who accepted Virginia Tech's head coaching post following the 2021 season. No matter who's been in charge, the Nittany Lions have consistently fielded strong de- fenses. Throughout Franklin's ten- ure, Penn State has used a four-man line and either four or five defensive backs. When Allen was hired last December, Franklin noted that one of his priorities has been to avoid the kind of disruption for players that can happen after a change in leadership. "I've had three defensive coordina- tors [at Penn State] that have all been able to play at a high level, and we've taken a similar approach with all three," Franklin said, referring to Diaz, Pry and Bob Shoop, his first Penn State DC. "We've also recruited toward a certain scheme as well. I'm not saying that what we have played is the only way you can play defense. There are guys that run the 3-4 who are highly successful guys. There are guys running a 3-3-stack who are highly successful. "I just think there are a lot of gym- nastics that go into making that change and can create a lot of questions [for players]. Guys are asking, 'Am I going to fit into the new scheme?' I prefer not to do that." ■ Tom Allen's Exit Promps Search For New 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 Allen oversaw a Nittany Lion defense that surrendered only 16.5 points and 294.8 yards per game in 2024. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER