Penn State Football to Hire Former B1G Coach as Defensive Coordinator

James Franklin has zeroed in on the next defensive coordinator for Penn State Football.

According to multiple reports Sunday, including ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Penn State is expected to hire former Indiana head coach Tom Allen to be the Nittany Lions‘ successor to Manny Diaz at defensive coordinator.

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

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Allen was fired after seven seasons at Indiana earlier this offseason and appeared on our initial list of candidates to replace Manny Diaz once Diaz accepted the head coaching position at Duke.

What Tom Allen Brings Penn State Football

Penn State Football, Tom Allen — Tom Allen of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts to a play against the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Allen was considered one of the top defensive minds in the Big Ten and brings seven years of head coaching experience to Happy Valley, something James Franklin has looked for in assistant coaches.

Penn State Football fans may remember an unforgettable win by Tom Allen and the Indiana Hoosiers in overtime in 2020 as former Hoosier Michael Penix Jr. (allegedly) crossed the goal line on a controversial two point conversion attempt to hand Penn State its first loss of the COVID shortened season.

Allen will have the task of taking over the nation’s top defense heading into 2024, as Penn State led all of FBS football in total defense, sacks, opponent first downs, passing touchdowns allowed, and rushing yards per play allowed in 2023.

Franklin noted earlier this week that Penn State’s defensive coordinator position would be highly sought after, with Franklin’s three previous defensive coordinators all running top ten units in college football almost yearly and the history Penn State has on defense.