Photo Credit: Penn State Athletics

Tom Allen Tabbed as Next Defensive Coordinator for Clemson Football

Tom Allen is All In.

Allen, the now former defensive coordinator at Penn State and former University of Indiana head coach, was officially announced as the Clemson Tigers’ new defensive coordinator by the school on January 14, 2025.

Word of Tom Allen leaving the Nittany Lions to join Dabo Swinney’s staff was first reported by ESPN and other national outlets on Monday morning with sources saying the two sides were finalizing the deal. Allen takes over a Clemson defense that, despite its talent, has slipped dramatically in production the past two seasons which prompted Swinney to fire former DC Wes Goodwin in early January.

Allen agreed to a three-year contract worth $6 million, earning $1.9 million in the first year, $2 million in the second, and $2.1 million in the final year.

Swinney, just as he did when hiring offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, made a big splash in getting an experienced and successful defensive coach. Tom Allen fits that bill. Allen, 54, cut his teeth in the high school ranks from 1992 to 2006 before earning his first collegiate assistant roll at Wabash.

“I am excited to announce Tom Allen as our defensive coordinator today. After a very thorough process these past few weeks, Tom checked every box that I was looking for. We’ve got a great football coach — and a great leader of men — coming to Clemson. I’m excited to welcome Tom and his family, including his wife, Tracy, his son, Thomas, and his two daughters, Hannah and Brittney. 

Dabo Swinney

His first major college football job was as special team’s coordinator and linebackers coach at Mississippi State from 2012-14. Following that he coached at South Florida in 2015 before joining the Hoosiers’ program as associate head coach and defensive coordinator in 2016 and then served as Indiana’s head coach for seven seasons from 2017-23.

Tom Allen joined the staff at Penn State for the 2024 season, and despite being with the Nittany Lions for only one season, he coached their defense to the number seven ranking in the country on the way to the College Football Play-offs. His Penn State defense allowed just 294.8 yards per game.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity 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.”

Tom Allen

Allen now inherits a Tigers’ defense with plenty of star power and even more potential and the hope is Swinney’s desire for new leadership will pay off with another trip to the play-offs for Clemson in 2025.

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