Penn State Hires Tom Allen as Defensive Coordinator

Allen, the former Indiana head coach, replaces Manny Diaz, who led the Nittany Lions' defense for two seasons.

Penn State has announced former Indiana head coach Tom Allen as its next defensive coordinator. The Board of Trustees' compensation subcommittee approved Allen's contract Tuesday, two days after ESPN's Pete Thamel first reported the news. Allen also will coach linebackers at Penn State. 

Allen, 53, replaces Manny Diaz, who left after two seasons with the Nittany Lions to become the head coach at Duke. He brings 16 seasons of college coaching experience to Penn State. He was the head coach at Indiana for the past seven years.

"I have always had a ton of respect for Tom Allen, and we are excited to welcome him to our staff," Penn State coach James Franklin said in a statement. "I've enjoyed following his coaching career and his experience as a head coach and defensive play caller will bring tremendous value to our program. Coach Allen has led aggressive and attacking style defenses that will complement what we have already established."

"I am thrilled for this opportunity with Penn State Football and want to thank Coach Franklin and Dr. Kraft for believing in me," Allen said in a statement. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Franklin and having been across the sidelines from him, I've seen what he is building here. To be trusted to join this storied program has me fired up, and I can't wait to get to work alongside this coaching staff, these student-athletes and to immerse myself in the Happy Valley community.

What to Know About New Penn State Defensive Coordinator Tom Allen

Allen went 33-49 in seven seasons as Indiana's head coach, including three consecutive losing seasons. Indiana fired Allen in November after the Hoosiers went 3-9, capping a three-year, 9-27 run.

Allen and Indiana agreed to a buyout of $15.5 million, payable in two installments, According to the Indianapolis Star, the buyout is not reduced upon Allen being hired at Penn State.

While the head coach at Indiana, Allen also served as defensive coordinator for three seasons. In 2016, his first season as defensive coordinator, Indiana was the nation's most improved defense in yards allowed (169 fewer than the previous season) and passing yards allowed (134 fewer).

Allen had two strong seasons as Indiana's head coach. He guided the team to an 8-5 record in 2019 and an appearance in the TaxSlayer Bowl, the program's first Florida bowl. The Hoosiers went 5-4 in the Big Ten, their first conference winning record since 1993.

The following year, Allen guided Indiana to a 6-2 record in the COVID-shortened season of 2020. Indiana went 6-1 in Big Ten play, losing only to Ohio State, and was ranked No. 12 in the final AP Top 25. It was the program's highest final ranking since 1967. Allen was named coach of the year by the Big Ten and the American Football Coaches Association.

Prior to Indiana, Allen was the defense coordinator at South Florida, guiding a unit that ranked among the nation's top 25 in tackles for loss, interceptions and takeaways.

Allen was the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. He was part of the 2014 Ole Miss team that ranked as high as third and finished the season 9-4.

Allen's son Thomas was a linebacker at Indiana and a graduate assistant for the Hoosiers last season.

What They're Saying About Tom Allen

Micah McFadden, former Indiana linebacker: "Coach Allen is the epitome of a players’ coach. He brings the same great attitude to the facility every single day. There isn’t a better person to teach and develop young men in college football."

Dan Feeney, former Indiana offensive lineman: "Coach Allen was the best guy to step in at Indiana. He did a phenomenal job taking over, getting everybody juiced up and on the right page. He has the mantra ‘L.E.O.’, Love Each Other. Everybody is buying into that."

Joel Klatt, FOX Sports analyst: "Coach Allen is a coach through and through. He cares about his players and has an infectious enthusiasm for Indiana Football. He has demonstrated throughout his career the ability to get the most out of his players and I anticipate he will have Indiana competing at a high level within the Big Ten and nationally.”

Howard Griffith, Big Ten analyst: "Coach Allen is a high-energy coach that will demand the very best from his players on and off the field. I’m looking forward to watching the Hoosiers move forward under his direction.”

Quotes courtesy Indiana athletics communications.

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