As Franklin said before hiring Allen last year, Penn State's defense is not in rebuild mode. The program is about winning now, which the returns of Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki have foreshadowed. Franklin is chasing hardware next season, and the defensive coordinator hire will reflect that.

Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen has agreed to take the same position at Clemson, the school announced on Tuesday. Allen, who just finished his first season as Penn State's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach,

This guy,” Swinney said Wednesday, grinning toward Tom Allen, the former Indiana head coach and Penn State defensive coordinator who was officially hired as the Tigers’ next defensive coordinator on Tuesday.

Tom Allen became Dabo Swinney's fourth defensive coordinator hire. Allen explained Wednesday why he left Penn State after one season.

Penn State’s defensive coordinator position remains open as of early Wednesday afternoon. James Franklin must replace Tom Allen, the former Indiana head coach who spent one season with the Nittany Lions before taking the Clemson defensive coordinator job earlier this week.