
Top 5 Penn State defensive coordinator candidates for 2025
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (BVM) – The Penn State Nittany Lions are searching for their second defensive coordinator in as many years after Tom Allen recently agreed to become the next defensive coordinator of the Clemson Tigers.
Penn State’s Tom Allen has agreed to become the new defensive coordinator at Clemson, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.
Clemson and Allen, who ESPN previously said Clemson was working toward getting a deal done with, are expected to get a deal done in the next day or so.… pic.twitter.com/rTeayuYmZk
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 13, 2025
Allen was hired to replace Manny Diaz, who left to become the head coach at Duke following two seasons in State College, following a seven-year head-coaching stint at Indiana.
Allen’s defense was tremendous throughout the 2024 campaign, ranking seventh in the country in yards allowed per game (294.7) and eighth in scoring defense, allowing just 16.5 points per contest. Standout edge rusher Abdul Carter led the way, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors as the Nittany Lions reached the College Football Playoff semifinals.
With several key defensive pieces expected to remain in place in 2025, Penn State’s defensive coordinator opening could intrigue several candidates as James Franklin looks to get the Nittany Lions back to the College Football Playoff. Here’s a look at the top five defensive coordinator candidates for Penn State.