Clemson hires Tom Allen as new defensive coordinator after top-10 season at Penn State

Clemson has hired Tom Allen as its new defensive coordinator after his successful season at Penn State, where he led the team to a top-10 national defense ranking. This marks a significant change for Clemson, as Allen is the first external hire for this position since 2012. Under Allen, Penn State's defense ranked seventh in total defense and eighth in scoring defense in 2024. The Nittany Lions allowed only 24 points in their first two playoff games and had standout performances, including eight interceptions during the postseason. Allen previously served as head coach at Indiana and has experience as a defensive coordinator at South Florida and Indiana. His hiring follows Clemson's decision to part ways with former defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin.