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Where will Tom Allen call the Penn State defense from, and why?

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•06/16/24•

GregPickel

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Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen.

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen couldn’t pick where he’d call the defense from as the head coach at Indiana. Now, he can. The 54-year-old New Castle, Ind., native is no longer required to read his play sheet from the sideline as he was when he was the leader of the Hoosiers. Given the choice, will he move to the press box alongside fellow first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki?

“I’ll be on the field,” Allen said without hesitation through the kind of raspy voice that mirrors the passion Nittany Lion fans will soon see him showcase on the sideline during games. “I’ve done both, and I liked what I could see [in the press box], and I love to be able to just block out all the noise. But, I felt I always lost the emotional connection of the game. I like the flow of the game. I like to be able to get with players face-to-face and feel the emotion, good or bad. And I think that I’m a pretty high-energy guy. I think I’d be a caged tiger in the press box … as a matter of fact, I guarantee you I would be.”

Allen’s chosen spot on game day continues a James Franklin era tradition of having the defensive coordinator on the sideline.

Technology will help Allen, Penn State, in 2024

For the first time, college football teams will be allowed to use iPads on the sideline during games to review plays in real-time. It’s another reason why Allen does not feel like he needs to see things from atop the stadium. And, he’s excited about that rule change, which is new to 2024.

[It’s] a significant change from the past to be able to see what just happened and confirm it. To me, that’s a big deal, but I feel very comfortable calling on the field, and that’s where I’ll be.”

It is not yet clear who will be upstairs to be Allen’s eyes and ears this fall. In past seasons, co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter has handled that responsibility. He likely will this year, as well, and will have other off-field staffers up there with him.

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