Former Penn State Defensive Coordinator Tom Allen ‘Wasn’t Looking’ for Job Prior to Clemson Interest

Tom Allen was introduced as Clemson’s defensive coordinator on Wednesday, and he provided some insight on his Penn State departure and decision to join the Tigers. Allen, who was calling the Nittany Lions’ defense in a 27-24 loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Thursday, called the past few days a “whirlwind.”

Clemson’s Dabo Swinney said many coaches reached out with interest in the program’s defensive coordinator position, made vacant after Wes Goodwin’s exit on Jan. 6. The only coach he had to contact directly or indirectly, Swinney said, was Allen, who was just days removed from coaching the Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl when his move was made official.

“I didn’t reach out because I wasn’t looking,” Allen said after thanking James Franklin in his opening statement, which was posted by The State’s Chapel Fowler.

“Just Pat Kraft, the AD there, special people. Just really thank the players for the way that they responded and played. Had an amazing playoff run. Obviously, still wish we were playing one more game. But at the same time, just thankful for that opportunity, and just really appreciate Coach reaching out. Like I said, I wasn’t expecting this.”

Allen primarily cited “faith and family” as his reasoning for joining the Tigers. His two daughters, Brittany and Hannah, live in the Carolinas. And his son, Thomas, who served as a defensive analyst for the Nittany Lions this past season, has subsequently joined Swinney’s staff alongside his father.

It appears the Clemson opening was simply a right place, right time opportunity for Allen and his family.

“It was totally unexpected. Not everyone is going to understand it. And I respect that. But what I said earlier is the bottom line. It’s about my family and the timing of it all,” Allen said, per The Post and Courier’s Jon Blau.

Penn State’s Board of Trustees’ Committee on Equity and Human Resources has already scheduled a pair of meetings for Jan. 17 and 20. That committee is tasked with approving the compensation of any hire or promotion that exceeds that of the university president at any point in the contract, and the contract of a football coach would likely fit that bill.

Contract terms requiring board approval were previously handled by the former Subcommittee on Compensation, but those duties were assumed by the Committee on Equity and Human Resources with a revision to committee structures in mid-2024.

Allen reportedly made $1.5 million over his lone season with the Nittany Lions. Neeli Bendapudi, the school’s president, makes $950,000. If Allen’s annual compensation is the estimate for what Penn State is willing to pay its next defensive coordinator, it’s the duty of the HR committee to meet and approve of the terms.

The Nittany Lions have not yet publicly announced Allen’s replacement, but it’s possible a decision is close to being made.