Clemson officially hires Tom Allen as defensive coordinator, contract details revealed

Clemson officially has its new defensive coordinator. Dabo Swinney has hired Penn State DC Tom Allen to run his defense. The Clemson Board of Trustees approved the hire Tuesday afternoon, making the move official.

Allen has agreed to a three-year contract worth an average of $2 million. He will make $1.9 million in 2025, $2 million in 2026 and $2.1 million in 2027. He made $1.5 million this past year at Penn State and was reportedly set to make $1.6 million in 2025. Clemson is also paying Allen a signing bonus, which will cover his buyout that is owed to Penn State.

Allen spent only one year at Penn State, after previously serving as the head coach at Indiana. He is taking over for Wes Goodwin, who was fired as the Clemson defensive coordinator at the end of the 2024 season. Goodwin spent 13 seasons on staff at Clemson, including the past three as the defensive coordinator.

Even though he was only at Penn State for one year, Tom Allen did an excellent job with the Nittany Lions defense. PSU ranked No. 7 nationally in total defense this season, allowing 294.8 yards per game. Penn State was also in the top-10 in scoring defense, ranking 8th at 16.5 points per game.

Allen is joining a Clemson program that got back to the College Football Playoff in 2024 for the first time since 2020, before falling to Texas in the first round of the CFP.

Allen and Penn State also reached the playoff this year, advancing all the way to the semifinals before falling to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9.

Prior to spending this past season as the defensive coordinator at Penn State, Tom Allen was the head coach at Indiana from 2017-23. He compiled a 33-49 record during that time, while finishing with two winning seasons.

Before landing the Indiana head coaching job, Allen was the defensive coordinator for the Hoosiers in 2016. He also previously was on staff at Ole Miss and USF.

The addition of Tom Allen raises the expectations for Clemson for the 2025 season. The Tigers return most of their starting offense, including star quarterback Cade Klubnik and receivers Antonio Williams, TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco.

Clemson also has several solid pieces returning defensively, including All-ACC performers TJ Parker and Avieon Terrell.

Swinney led Clemson to an ACC title and a CFP berth in 2024. With several key pieces returning and a new DC, the goal for the Tigers is to return to the playoff and make some noise this year.

Clemson was No. 69 in total defense in 2024, allowing 374.1 yards per game. If Allen can improve on those numbers, Clemson could contend for a national title.