Tom Allen officially named Clemson defensive coordinator after a season at Penn State

Penn State has lost defensive coordinator Tom Allen to Clemson. The change was officially announced by Clemson on Tuesday afternoon.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity that Coach (Dabo) 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,” Allen said a Clemson press release. “I remain incredibly grateful for the opportunity James Franklin gave me to be part of Penn State football, a championship-caliber program in every respect that will continue to compete at the highest level. My family is very important to me and this move provides us the unique opportunity of living close to our daughters. Our children have made countless sacrifices throughout the years in the coaching profession and this move brings us together.”

Allen joined the Nittany Lions last offseason after he was fired as Indiana’s head coach following seven seasons in charge of the Hoosiers.

The defensive coordinator helped maintain the PSU defense as one of the best in the country this season after replacing Manny Diaz, who left to become the head coach at Duke.

Allen had the defense ranked at No. 7 in the country, according to ESPN analyst Bill Connelly’s SP+, a tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency.

Allen was set to make $1.6 million in his second year with the program and will begin his career with the Tigers making $1.9 million, according to The Athletic.