New Name Appears in Clemson DC Coaching Search

CLEMSON — Dabo Swinney’s quest to replace Wes Goodwin as Clemson’s defensive coordinator continues.

Clemson Insider has continued to speak with our sources over the past few days, and we have a few more updates we’d like to provide.

TCI was able to confirm in the last 24 hours that Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen is a strong candidate to become Clemson’s new defensive coordinator.

All our sources tell TCI that things seem to be moving quickly now. Again, in a coaching search, things are always fluid and dynamic, and things can certainly change and change quickly.

We can also tell you through our sources that Clemson has also spoken with Denver defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard. TCI reported last week that Leonhard was a candidate to become the Tigers’ new defensive coordinator.

TCI reported last Wednesday that one of the potential candidates was still coaching in the College Football Playoff. Obviously, Clemson couldn’t move forward with an interview with that candidate before the end of their season.

However, we were not ready to release his name at that time until we get more confirmation of his candidacy. Today, we are now comfortable releasing his name based on the information we gathered from over the weekend.

Allen helped Penn State reach the CFP semifinals while posting a 13-3 record. The Nitty Lions’ defense ranked 8th nationally in scoring defense this season (16.5 ppg) and 7th in total defense (294.8 ypg). They also ranked 9th in rushing defense (101.9 ypg) and 7th in yards per carry. trials (3.05).

A former head coach at Indiana, Allen has 33 years of coaching experience on his resume. He joined Penn State in 2024 after Manny Diaz left the Nittany Lions to become the head coach at Duke.

Prior to this past season, Allen spent eight years at Indiana, with seven seasons (2017-23) as Indiana’s head coach and one as the Hoosiers’ defensive coordinator. According to Penn State’s official website, the teams Allen has coached in his last 29 seasons have posted a combined record of 268-120 (.690).

In his eight-year tenure with the Hoosiers, IU’s defense was known for getting out of bounds on third downs, ranking in the top five in the Big Ten on third down in five seasons and in the top 15 nationally twice.

Allen is expected to make $1.6 million in his second year with the program, according to Center Daily News.