According to multiple reports, Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Tom Allen is finalizing a deal for the same role with the Clemson Tigers. Is it a lateral move or one indicative of the shifting trajectories of two prominent programs?
What Tom Allen’s Decision Would Mean for Clemson and Penn State
After eight years with the Indiana Hoosiers — the last seven as their head coach — Allen signed a three-year contract to join James Franklin’s staff as the DC. In his first year, he transformed Penn State’s defense into one of the nation’s best, ranking No. 7 in total defense and No. 8 in scoring defense.
His efforts earned him a semifinalist spot for the 2024 Broyles Award and helped propel the Nittany Lions to their College Football Playoff debut, which ended in the semifinals.
Despite the success, Allen appears to be trading Happy Valley for Death Valley after just one season.
On Jan. 6, 2025, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney fired Wes Goodwin following three years as the program’s DC.
With Goodwin at the helm, the Tigers’ defense plummeted from No. 8 in total defense in 2023 to No. 64 in 2024, struggling mightily against the run (160.6 rushing yards per game, 85th; 4.7 yards per carry, 99th.)
Swinney promised to name a replacement “by the end of the month or sooner,” and Allen’s impending hire suggests he’s met his timeline.
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Allen’s departure isn’t just about dollars, though compensation likely plays a role. At Penn State, Allen was set to earn $1.6 million in 2025 and $1.7 million in 2026. Clemson could offer a salary exceeding $2 million annually, aligning with top-tier defensive coordinators like LSU’s Blake Fisher and Michigan’s Wink Martindale.
But the appeal goes beyond finances. Clemson offers Allen a return to the South, where he spent pivotal years earlier in his career, including stints at Arkansas State (2011, AHC), Ole Miss (2012-14, ST/LBs), and South Florida (2015, DC).
Football-wise, Swinney’s squad appears to be on the upswing, while Franklin’s may have hit its ceiling in 2024.
Since Franklin took over as head coach in 2014, Penn State has gone 101-42 (70.6%), 6-6 in bowl games, and barely made its CFP debut in 2024. Meanwhile, Clemson has gone 129-24 (84.3%), 9-6 in bowls, and won two national championships in the same time frame under Swinney.
The ACC is arguably the easier conference to win as well (Clemson just did as a three-loss team), with the Big Ten home to Oregon, Ohio State, and Michigan at the top.
But it’s not as if Allen has any animosity toward Franklin or doesn’t believe in his program’s direction. Not only did he bring his son, Thomas, onto the staff as a defensive analyst in December 2023, but he publicly praised Franklin after their CFP quarterfinal victory over Boise State:
“All the dude does is win, and then you’re criticizing him? I get it. You can win a bunch of games, but you have to win the big one — whatever that means. To me, it means consistently playing at a high level. That’s what we’re doing now. That’s what he’s done in the past.”
Nevertheless, assuming Allen does take the Clemson job, Death Valley should be optimistic. His aggressive style and exotic schematic looks should remind fans of Venables’ defenses.
Defensively, he’ll have several stars, such as DL Peter Woods and T.J. Parker, LBs Sammy Brown and Wade Woodaz, and DBs Avieon Terrell, K.J. Barnes, and Ashton Hampton. And a large portion of the offense is running it back, including QB Cade Klubnik, WRs Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore, and OT Blake Miller.
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By hiring Allen and actually dipping into the transfer portal for the first time under Swinney, the Tigers are sending a clear message to the rest of the nation: “We’re back, and we’re here to stay.”
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