Tom Allen understands some of the questions surrounding his decision to leave Penn State after one highly-successful season to take a seemingly lateral move as Clemson‘s new defensive coordinator. Still,

After a semifinal elimination during the College Football Playoffs, former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen decided to sign with the Clemson Tigers ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Tom Allen is Clemson’s defensive coordinator because he runs a unit that fits what Dabo Swinney was looking for. Swinney was asked what schematically led him to Allen in the hiring process during their introductory press conference.

In his teens, Tom adored Victoria Wood As Seen On TV. “I loved the way they portrayed everyday conversations. Everyone else at school in my year was into Oasis and Ali G, I was into Noel Coward and Kenneth Williams. I gravitated towards Kenneth, him trying to be so grand and always falling short. That was wonderful.”

Tom Allen wore a weary smile in Penn State's locker room after the Orange Bowl as he surveyed a silent, still group of players hurting over the Nittany Lions' 27-24 loss to Notre Dame. Penn State's defensive coordinator, at least for that moment, tried to find context.

Clemson’s hire of Tom Allen got high marks from this college football insider. ESPN’s Pete Thamel commented on the Tigers bringing in Allen as their new defensive coordinator, and Thamel believes

Tom Allen’s been in Clemson for just about a week. His impact continues to exceed the short time he’s spent on campus. Across the country, the news of his move

Jamier Johnson was a holdover from Tom Allen's time as Indiana football coach. But the starting cornerback is no longer with the Hoosiers.

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football corner Jamier Johnson is no longer with the program, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Johnson wasn’t included in the updated 2025 roster the Hoosiers posted on their website Wednesday afternoon. He had 35 tackles (25 solo) with an interception in 10 starts for IU last season.

A longtime believer in “blooming where you’re planted,” Swinney has now made five straight outside hires for assistant coaches.

The Nittany Lions are hiring Tom Knowles, who served as defensive coordinator for the national champion Buckeyes.

Knowles is a Philadelphia native and has made stops as defensive coordinator with Western Michigan, Duke, and Oklahoma State prior to his three seasons with Ohio State. The former Indiana coach said the move brings he and his wife closer to their two daughters.