Tom Allen is Clemson’s defensive coordinator because he runs a unit that fits what Dabo Swinney was looking for. Swinney was asked what schematically led him to Allen in the hiring process during their introductory press conference.

Penn State has been on the lookout for a new defensive coordinator for the past two weeks. That is how long ago Tom Allen decided to leave Penn State after one year to become the defensive coordinator at Clemson. So what exactly has been taking Penn State so long to name his replacement on James Franklin’s staff?

Knowles is a Philadelphia native and has made stops as defensive coordinator with Western Michigan, Duke, and Oklahoma State prior to his three seasons with Ohio State. The former Indiana coach said the move brings he and his wife closer to their two daughters.

Tom Allen wore a weary smile in Penn State's locker room after the Orange Bowl as he surveyed a silent, still group of players hurting over the Nittany Lions' 27-24 loss to Notre Dame. Penn State's defensive coordinator, at least for that moment, tried to find context.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State has lured Tom Knowles away from Ohio State. The Nittany Lions hired Knowles on Monday to serve as their defensive coordinator. Knowles held the same position with the national champion Buckeyes for three years.

Tom Allen understands some of the questions surrounding his decision to leave Penn State after one highly-successful season to take a seemingly lateral move as Clemson‘s new defensive coordinator. Still,

Denver still hasn't filled its special teams coordinator role after moving on from Ben Kotwica after its wild-card loss in Buffalo.

A longtime believer in “blooming where you’re planted,” Swinney has now made five straight outside hires for assistant coaches.

Penn State formally hired Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to the same position Monday morning. Knowles replaces Tom Allen, who left after one year to become the defensive coordinator at Clemson.

James Franklin has picked up his first win over Ohio State since 2016. Penn State poached Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles over the weekend. While Ryan Day and the Buckeyes were busy celebrating their first national title in 10 years with a party at Ohio Stadium,

Penn State has made a massive splash by hiring Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to take the same job with the Nittany Lions.