3 New Names Developing in Penn State Defensive Coordinator Search
Penn State Football is less than a week from its College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame. While quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton are all returning to school for one more season, a significant part of the defense isn’t.
We all knew star pass rusher Abdul Carter is on his way to the NFL, but nobody saw defensive coordinator Tom Allen going to take the same position at Clemson.
Penn State will conduct a defensive coordinator search for the second straight year.
3 Potential Penn State Defensive Coordinator Candidates
Bryant Haines, Indiana Defensive Coordinator
After spending time as James Madison’s DC/linebacker coach, Haines just finished his first season in Bloomington.
The Hoosiers’ only two losses were to Ohio State and Notre Dame, which will meet in the title game on Monday. Maybe Haines will do a better job with the Nittany Lions.
Jim Knowles, Ohio State Defensive Coordinator
Speaking of Ohio State, watch out for the defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
This is a long shot since leaving Ohio State for Penn State seems like a downgrade, but he does have some ties to the state.
The 59-year-old coordinator is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and might want to return home.
It will be hard to get Knowles from the Buckeyes since he has been there for the last three years and has turned them into the best defense in the country. Still, with all the turnover Ohio State will have on its roster this upcoming season, he may head to Happy Valley and try to position himself as a head coach sometime in 2026.
Ephraim Banda, Cleveland Browns Safeties Coach
Staying in Ohio, Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda is a name to keep close attention to.
Banda just interviewed with the Indianapolis Colts for their defensive coordinator position, but if he wants to return to college, Penn State would be a great place.
Penn State was great under Diaz, and getting someone who knows his defense would be an excellent fit for the team.
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