Penn State has found its Manny Diaz replacement.
Former Indiana head coach Tom Allen has been hired to be the Nittany Lions’ new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. The program announced the news on Tuesday.
It was first reported on Sunday that Penn State was targeting Allen to replace Diaz, who left to become Duke’s head coach after two successful seasons as defensive coordinator.
Allen signed a three-year deal with the Nittany Lions, according to the Centre Daily Times. He will make $1.5 million in 2024, $1.6 million in 2025 and $1.7 million in 2026.
It’s expected that Allen’s introductory press conference will take place on Wednesday amid the Nittany Lions’ early signing day media availabilities.
“I have always had a ton of respect for Tom Allen, and we are excited to welcome him to our staff,” 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 added. “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.”
Allen was fired by Indiana in late November after a lengthy run at the helm in Bloomington. Allen, 53, became the Hoosiers’ head coach in 2017. They reached two bowl games in seven seasons. Allen accumulated a 33-48 record as Indiana’s full-time head coach.
Prior to that, Allen was Indiana’s defensive coordinator in 2016. He coached the Hoosiers’ bowl game that year on an interim basis after Kevin Wilson resigned.
Indiana was the most improved program nationally in total defense and pass defense in 2016 when Allen took over as the defensive coordinator. He retained play-calling duties in 2017 and 2018. The Hoosiers were eighth in the FBS in third-down defense in 2017 and tied for 11th nationally in takeaways in 2018.
Indiana’s defense slipped significantly the last three years. The Hoosiers finished last in total defense in the Big Ten in both 2022 and 2023.
Allen has been a defensive coach his entire career. The Indiana native was South Florida’s defensive coordinator in 2015 and Ole Miss’ linebackers coach from 2012-14. He gained experience at Wabash, Lambuth, Drake and Arkansas State in lower college levels. And before that, he got his start in the high school ranks in Florida. His ability to recruit in the Sunshine State will be an added benefit to the Nittany Lions.
Allen received a $15.5 million buyout when he was fired by Indiana. This will be back-to-back former head coaches that James Franklin has hired to be his defensive coordinator. Diaz was fired at Miami before joining the Nittany Lions before the 2021 season.
Diaz led a unit that ranked first in the FBS in total defense this year, allowing 223.3 yards per game — the lowest per game figure since Alabama’s 2011 national title-winning defense.
Penn State ranked first nationally in yards per play (3.91) and sacks (48). The Nittany Lions were third in scoring defense (11.4 points per game), pass defense (153.6 yards per game), rush defense (69.7 yards per game) and tackles for loss (101).
“Being able to hire somebody that’s not intimidated to walk into that room with the No. 1 defense in the country (is important),” Franklin said at last Friday’s Peach Bowl media day. “A lot of times you’re taking over a job, and you say, ‘Hey, my job is to improve the defense.’ That’s going to be hard to do statistically, right?”
Franklin also said that, in an ideal world, his new defensive coordinator would have head coaching experience. Allen fits that mold.
“You’re looking for a fit. You’re looking for a fit with our players. You’re looking for a fit with the staff, a fit in the community,” Franklin added. “If somebody had head coaching experience, I think there’s value in that.”
Franklin has consistently been complimentary of Allen over the years before Penn State has faced Indiana in Big Ten East play. Last year, Franklin called Allen a “good man, good person, good coach.” During pregame warmups ahead of this year’s meeting, Franklin and Allen spoke at length on the field at Beaver Stadium and have seemingly forged a strong relationship.
This is the second coordinator Franklin has hired this month. Penn State brought in Kansas play-caller Andy Kotelnicki to run the offense after Mike Yurcich was fired in-season.
