Penn State Football has made a significant addition to its coaching staff, announcing the hiring of Tom Allen as the new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Allen brings a wealth of experience to Happy Valley, having spent the previous seven seasons as the head coach at Indiana.

Head coach James Franklin expressed his excitement about the addition, stating, "I have always had a ton of respect for Tom Allen, and we are excited to welcome him to our staff. 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."

Allen, who was named the 2020 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) National Coach of the Year, brings 32 years of coaching experience to his new role at Penn State. During his tenure at Indiana, he guided the team to a program-record 10-straight weeks in the national rankings and a No. 12 ranking in the final Associated Press poll, the highest end-of-year ranking for the Hoosiers since 1967.

Known for his defensive expertise, Allen engineered a remarkable turnaround of Indiana's defense during his time with the program. In his first season, he inherited a defense that ranked near the bottom among Power Five teams in various statistical categories. However, Allen led a dramatic improvement, with the defense showing significant progress in every major statistical category. Notably, the Hoosiers allowed 129.4 fewer total yards and 94.1 fewer passing yards per game compared to the previous season, marking the largest improvement in the nation.

Under Allen's leadership, Indiana's defense became known for its ability to get off the field on third downs. The team consistently ranked among the top five in the Big Ten in third-down defense and in the top 15 nationally.

During his tenure, Allen coached multiple All-Americans, including linebacker Tegray Scales and cornerback Tiawan Mullen. He also mentored 35 All-Big Ten honorees, six of whom were first-team selections. Allen's impact is evident not only in individual accolades but also in the success of his players at the next level, with 15 of his former players currently in the NFL.

Penn State is excited to leverage Allen's defensive expertise to further strengthen their defensive unit. With his track record of building aggressive and attacking defenses, Allen's arrival is expected to complement the program's existing defensive strategies.

Allen expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Penn State Football family, stating, "I am thrilled for this opportunity with Penn State Football and want to thank Coach Franklin and Dr. Kraft for believing in me. 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."

Penn State fans are eagerly anticipating the impact Allen will have on the team's defense, as he brings a wealth of knowledge and a successful coaching background to the Nittany Lions. With his arrival, the program hopes to continue its tradition of strong defensive play and competitive success in the Big Ten conference.

The Penn State Football program looks forward to welcoming Tom Allen, his wife Tracy, and their children to Happy Valley as they embark on this new chapter together.