CLEMSON, S.C. (WSPA) — Tom Allen has officially been hired as the new defensive coordinator for the Clemson Tigers. Allen's hiring was finalized Tuesday by the Clemson University Board of Trustees Compensation Committee. He will guide the Tigers defense after spending the 2024 season at Penn State. Head Coach Dabo Swinney will formally introduce Allen during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. "We’ve got a great football coach — and a great leader of men — coming to Clemson," said Swinney in a statement. "He brings a ton of experience and was highly recommended by some of the best people in this business. He is obviously coming off of a great year as the defensive coordinator at Penn State, and we’re excited to welcome him as our defensive coordinator here at Clemson." Allen has more than three decades of coaching experience, including a season leading the Nittany Lions defense to a school-record 13 wins and a College Football Playoff berth. Penn State finished seventh in the nation in total defense and eighth in scoring defense under Allen. Prior to his time at Penn State, Allen was head coach at Indiana for eight years. "I'm thankful for the opportunity that Coach Swinney has given me to lead the defense. I have admired him from afar for years and look forward to working for him and with his defensive staff," said Allen. "I remain incredibly grateful for the opportunity James Franklin gave me to be part of Penn State football, a championship-caliber program in every respect that will continue to compete at the highest level." Allen's coaching career began in 1992 at Temple Heights Christian School in Tampa, Florida. Allen, 54, earned his bachelor's degree from Maranatha Baptist in 1992 and later earned a master's degree from Indiana in 2002. He and wife, Tracy, have a son, Thomas, and two daughters, Hannah and Brittney.