CLEMSON — Dabo Swinney’s search to replace Wes Goodwin as Clemson’s defensive coordinator continues on.

The Clemson Insider has continued talking with our sources the last couple of days and we have a few more updates we would like to provide.

TCI was able to confirm in the last 24 hours that Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen is a strong candidate to be Clemson’s new defensive coordinator.

All of our sources are telling TCI that things appear to be moving quickly now. Again, in a coaching search things are always fluid and dynamic and things can certainly change and change fast.

We can also tell you through our sources that Clemson has spoken with Denver defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard, as well. TCI reported last week, Leonhard was a candidate to be the Tigers’ new defensive coordinator.

TCI reported last Wednesday, one of the potential candidates was still coaching in the College Football Playoff. Obviously, Clemson could not move forward with an interview with that candidate until the conclusion of their season.

However, we were not ready to release his name at that time until we get more confirmation on his candidacy. Today we are now comfortable releasing his name based on the information we gathered from over the weekend.

Allen helped Penn State reach the semifinals of the CFP, while posting a 13-3 record. The Nitty Lions’ defense ranked 8th nationally in scoring defense this season (16.5 ppg) and 7th in total defense (294.8 ypg). They also ranked 9th in rushing defense (101.9 ypg) and 7th in yards per carry (3.05).

Penn State also ranked fifth nationally with 44 sacks and second in tackles for loss with 119. The Nitty Lions also ranked fifth in red zone defense in 2024.

A former head coach at Indiana, Allen has 33 years of coaching experience on his resume. He came to Penn State in 2024 after Manny Diaz left the Nittany Lions to become the head coach at Duke.

Before this past season, Allen spent eight years at Indiana, with seven seasons (2017-23) as Indiana’s head coach and one as the Hoosiers’ defensive coordinator. According to Penn State’s official website, in his last 29 seasons, the teams for which Allen has been a member of the coaching staff have posted a combined record of 268-120 (.690).

In his eight-year tenure with the Hoosiers, IU’s defenses were known for getting off the field on third downs, ranking in the top five in the Big Ten on third down in five seasons and in the top 15 nationally twice.

Allen is expected to make $1.6 million in his second year with the program, according to the Centre Daily News.

–Photo courtesy of Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images