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BWI Live: The latest on Tom Allen to Penn State | Media Day Recap

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•12/19/23•

ThomasFrankCarr

Tom Allen James Franklin Penn State Football On3
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen (L) and Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin (R) shake hands prior to the game at Beaver Stadium. (Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)

The Penn State football team seems to be closing in on its next defensive coordinator. Get the latest on what we know during the BWI Live Show. Expert reporters Greg Pickel and Sean Fitz discuss the news that former Indiana head coach Tom Allen will be the next defensive coordinator for the Nittany Lions. 

We will discuss the news, how he potentially fits with the Nittany Lions, and what else you need to know about the news. 

We’ll also discuss Peach Bowl Media Day for Penn State. What impression did new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki make on the team? We’ll discuss what he had to say and who Pickle talked to during the 40 minutes that players were available to the media. 

The Latest on Tom Allen

Reports from around college football are that Penn State will hire Tom Allen to be the team’s next defensive coordinator. We discuss how the two sides came together and what Allen brings to Penn State. 

We’ll also discuss some fans’ concerns that Anthony Poindexter was passed up for the job and his potential to leave the program. Finally, we’ll debate whether Allen is a ‘sexy’ hire or not. 

Penn State Bowl Media Day Reaction 

It was a barrage of conversations and press conferences last Friday with Penn State’s Bowl Media Day. The team kicked off interviews at 10:30 and didn’t stop until new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki finished his comments around 1:35. So, what conversations stood out? 

We’ll discuss Penn State’s opt-in culture for the Peach Bowl and how the team looks heading into the New Year’s Six bowl game. Players like Caedan Wallace and Curtis Jacobs announced this weekend that they plan to play in the game.

Penn State running back’s coach and co-offensive coordinator Ja’Juan Seider also took a moment to defend head coach James Franklin from the criticism he’s received as the Lion’s leader. Here’s his full comment. 

“Every time I walk in the building, I see Coach Franklin. I see one of the best CEOs I’ve been around. Like, this guy wears so many hats, and to be able to do it at a high level. And I don’t think he get enough credit for how much he has done here with this program and had to overcome to get this place where it’s at now,” Seider said.

“I grew up in Florida. I’m a Floridian.

You look at those three schools down there, look how long you’re taking those guys to recover and that’s the best high school football in the country. So why has it taken them so long? Well, it starts at the top.” 

“We don’t get this guy enough credit for where we at because football and winning is hard. [To] create a culture where everybody feel like they part of something is hard and we have done that here and that’s the main reason why I’m still sitting in this chair.”

We’ll discuss his defense of Franklin and his relationship with fellow co-offensive coordinator Ty Howle. 

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