Head Coach Dabo Swinney has officially announced that Clemson has hired Tom Allen as Defensive Coordinator. The hire was finalized Tuesday by the Clemson University Board of Trustees Compensation Committee. Allen was introduced formally at a press conference at Clemson, Wednesday afternoon.
Allen held the same position at Penn State this past season helping the Nittany Lions reach the Semifinals of the CFB Playoff. He left after just one season in Happy Valley, a move that was publicly criticized by former PSU and NFL standout Lavar Arrington.
Regardless of opinion, Allen led Penn State top 10 national finishes in scoring, total and rushing defense. Prior to his stop at Penn State, Allen was the Head Coach at Indiana from 2017 through 2023. While he wasn't wildly successful there (33-49 overall) he did have some notable good seasons for a program not known for them.
Allen led the program to an 8 win season in 2019 and an appearance in the Gator Bowl. He was then 6-2 in 2020 (Big Ten only played conference games that year due to Covid). Prior to his time at Indiana, Allen was an Assistant for Hugh Freeze at Ole Miss.
He has had several other stops along the way. He began his career more than 30 years ago at the high school level. Many pundits have praised the hire of Tom Allen at Clemson.
He replaces Wes Goodwin after he spent more than 10 years with the program in various capacities. Many felt Goodwin's defense under performed this season, especially against the run. Tom Allen will make his debut as Clemson's DC at the Spring Game, but his 1st true test will come when the Tigers open hosting LSU on August 30th.