Reports: Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen leaving; Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen returning

For the third time over the last four seasons, James Franklin will be looking for a new defensive coordinator.

According to reports from CBS Sports and ESPN, Clemson is closing in on hiring Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen to the same position. The former Indiana head coach spent one season in Happy Valley, leading a Nittany Lions defense that ranked seventh nationally in total defense (294.8) yards per game, eighth in points allowed (16.8), ninth in rushing yards allowed (101.9), and held 10 opponents to 14 points or fewer. The 54-year old Allen also coached the linebackers for the Nittany Lions.

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Although the defense had been dominant through the first 10 quarters of the College Football Playoff, Allen’s group gave up 24 second-half points in Penn State’s Orange Bowl loss to Notre Dame. His group also surrendered 45 points in a loss to Oregon in the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 7.

Allen’s defense had four players named to the first, second, or third All-Big Ten Conference teams, led by Big Ten player of the year Abdul Carter, who declared for the 2025 NFL draft on Friday.

At Clemson, Allen would replace Wes Goodwin, who was fired shortly after the Tigers’ College Football Playoff loss to Texas in the first round. Clemson’s defense ranked 49th in points (23.4 per game) and 69th in total defense (374.1).

Allen, who spent 2016 as Indiana’s defensive coordinator before spending the next seven seasons as Hoosiers head coach, replaced Manny Diaz last season after the latter moved on to Duke. Diaz spent two seasons with the Nittany Lions after succeeding Brent Pry, Penn State’s longtime defensive coordinator, who left for the Virginia Tech job in 2022.

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Penn State did get some good news on Monday. Running back Nick Singleton, who is eligible for the draft, announced that he will return to the Nittany Lions for the 2025 season. The Shillington native scored three touchdowns in Penn State’s loss to Notre Dame, and finished the season with 1,099 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns.

Rejoining Singleton in the backfield will be running mate Kaytron Allen, who also announced his intention to return for his senior season. Allen also rushed for more than 1,000 yards and scored 10 total touchdowns in 2024.

Defensive tackle Zane Durant is also committed to returning for his senior season, he announced over the weekend. Durant, who started all 16 games for the Nittany Lions, set career highs in tackles (42), tackles for losses (11), and sacks (three).

Quarterback Drew Allar had already announced his decision to return to Penn State last month before the Nittany Lions’ first-round playoff win over Southern Methodist.