BREAKING: Dabo Swinney, Clemson to hire Penn State DC Tom Allen

One year after bringing former Indiana head coach Tom Allen to Happy Valley, James Franklin and Penn State football will begin a search for a new defensive coordinator.

Dabo Swinney is set to hire Allen to the same position at Clemson, according to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports. Earlier Monday morning, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that that two sides were working toward a deal.

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

James Franklin hired Allen last winter to replace Manny Diaz as defensive coordinator. Allen was coming off a seven-year stint as the head coach at Indiana. In addition to the Nittany Lions, Allen also has defensive coordinator experience at South Florida.

Penn State football ranked in the top 10 in scoring, rushing, and total defense this fall.

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