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Penn State has reportedly found its new defensive coordinator.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Penn State is working to finalize a deal with former Indiana head coach Tom Allen. They’re expected to officially hire him within the next few days.
Allen will replace Manny Diaz, who recently accepted Duke’s head coaching vacancy.
Sources: Penn State is targeting former Indiana coach Tom Allen to be the school’s next defensive coordinator. Deal is being finalized and is expected to come together in the upcoming days.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 17, 2023
Earlier this week, Franklin said he’d want his new defensive coordinator to have “extensive” coaching experience and familiarity operating a similar system. He also discussed the allure of finding a former head coach.
“If somebody had head coaching experience, I think there’s value in that,” Franklin said at Friday’s Peach Bowl press conference. “I think Manny’s time as a head coach was valuable. Stacy Collins’ value as a previous head coach, there’s value in those things. I don’t think that’s the end-all be-all but it’s helpful if we can find it.”
Allen brings that experience to the table. He spent seven full seasons with the Hoosiers before getting fired after a 3-9 season.
The 53-year-old left Indiana with a 33-49 record. His final year included a 33-24 loss to the Nittany Lions in a game that was tied late in the fourth quarter. Allen’s team entered that matchup as multi-touchdown underdogs.
Indiana allowed just 20.2 points per game in 2020. However, the Hoosiers have ranked 100th or worse among FBS teams in points allowed over each of the past three seasons.
Allen will face much higher elevations if landing the Penn State position.
The Nittany Lions led the FBS with 223.2 yards allowed per game in 2023. Only its Big Ten foes, Michigan and Ohio State, yielded fewer points.
Anthony Poindexter and Robb Smith will serve as interim co-defensive coordinator when Penn State faces Ole Miss on Dec. 30.