CLEMSON — The hype surrounding the Clemson football team for the upcoming season is generating some buzz inside the facilities.

It’s a buzz that defensive ends coach Chris Rumph readily admits exists, although he thinks it runs deeper than the high expectations. Kicking off a new season always brings with it a renewed sense of energy, but the biggest thing just might be the tweaks made to the coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball.

Veteran defensive coordinator Tom Allen was hired to replace Wes Goodwin, with Ben Boulware being promoted to linebackers coach.

“Expectations. The beginning of the year,” Rumph said during Clemson’s annual media outing at the Allen J. Reeves Complex on Tuesday. “Anytime you have something new, it’s cool. It is like Christmas time when you get that new toy in your stocking. Defensively, the way we played last year wasn’t the best at all times. So when you get a chance to get a breath of fresh air, a chance to do it all over again, it’s exciting. So yeah, there is a buzz.”

After going through the spring with Allen leading the defense, Rumph and the rest of the defensive staff now have a good grasp on how the veteran coach runs things. The biggest difference between Allen and Goodwin is the difference in experience. Allen has spent more than three decades coaching football. On top of his wealth of experience as a coordinator, Allen also spent seven seasons as a head coach at Indiana.

“The biggest difference with coach Allen is he is just more seasoned,” Rumph said. “He is a little bit more experienced. And I think that is helpful. I mean, I love Wes and have nothing but respect for him. He has always been good to me and my family and I love him.”