Clemson is on the verge of a major coaching shake-up, with head coach Dabo Swinney reportedly closing in on hiring Tom Allen as the Tigers’ new defensive coordinator. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, discussions between Allen and Clemson are progressing, with a final decision expected in the coming days.
Tom Allen’s defensive expertise helped guide Penn State to an impressive 13-3 record in 2024, including a Big Ten championship appearance and two College Football Playoff victories. Under his leadership, the Nittany Lions defense ranked seventh in the nation in yards allowed, giving up just 294.7 yards per game. Penn State’s defense was particularly dominant in the run game, allowing only 101.8 rushing yards per game.
This marks a significant contrast to Clemson’s 2024 performance, where the Tigers ranked 68th in total defense, allowing 374.1 yards per game. For a program that has been a defensive powerhouse for most of the last decade, this drop in performance has raised concerns among fans. Since the 2013-14 season, Clemson has finished in the top-15 in total defense in all but two seasons, with their worst finish during that stretch being 27th.
Allen’s success at Penn State comes after a long career that includes a stint as the head coach at Indiana from 2017 to 2023. Although his tenure at Indiana ended with a 33-49 record, Allen has a wealth of experience coaching in various programs, including Drake, Arkansas State, Ole Miss, and South Florida.
With the Tigers looking to rebound defensively, the addition of Allen could be the boost Clemson needs to return to its dominant defensive form. Clemson fans are eagerly awaiting an official announcement, which could reshape the team’s defense for years to come.
