Tom Allen admits getting back into head coaching is 'not what I'm planning to do'

The Clemson Tigers made a splash hire this coaching cycle, hiring away Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Tom Allen to be their own defensive coordinator. However, as Allen explained at his introductory press conference, his plan is to remain at this level for the foreseeable future.

While Allen admitted that it’s difficult to use the word ‘never,’ he doesn’t plan on becoming a head coach again because of the differences in the two roles.

“Honestly, I’ve been a head coach in the Big Ten, and I love being defensive coordinator,” Tom Allen said. “I really, truly do. I’ve learned never say never, I get all that, but that’s not what I’m planning to do.”

Allen worked his way up from the high school ranks as a defensive coordinator and assistant, eventually becoming the head coach at Indiana in 2017. Allen would be with the Hoosiers for seven full seasons. During that time, he led Indiana to two bowl games before being fired at the end of 2023. He’d go on to be the defensive coordinator at Penn State.

What Allen has found in recent seasons is that he’s happier as a coordinator where he has more time to spend with the players and focus on the defensive scheme.

“There’s two things I love to do. I love impacting the lives of young people. You can do that by investing in a time component. When you’re a head coach, it’s hard to have that time to get to really know the guys and really dive into their lives,” Allen said. “This gives me a chance to do that. Also, I really do enjoy the football side of defense, studying film, diving into all that. You don’t really get a chance to do that. I became a head coach, tried to call the defense for a few years, but it was just too much after a while. So, this role really fits me, what I enjoy doing.”

Clemson and Dabo Swinney are trying to get back to keeping for national championships in upcoming seasons. The last time the Tigers won a title under Swinney, Brent Venables was the defensive coordinator. So, in the past, part of the formula has been having an excellent defensive coordinator.

“And to be able to do it at a place like Clemson at a place like Penn State, that’s pretty special. We were one game away, one play away from getting to the National Championship Game. We expect to be in that situation here. So, to be able to have football at the highest level, do what you love to do around great people,” Allen said. “It doesn’t get any better than that. So, I’m very, very excited here.

Allen will be well compensated to be the defensive coordinator at Penn State. In his new contract, Allen will be paid $1.9 million in 2025, $2 million in 2026, and $2.1 million in 2027. That’s up from $1.5 million at Penn State in 2024. That makes him one of the highest-paid coordinators in the country.