An exciting week for new Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen just keeps getting better.
On Sunday, word got out that Penn State was closing in on naming Allen its DC.
Tuesday afternoon, it became official.
The next day, Allen got to experience his first Penn State National Signing Day and then had his introductory press conference.
Now, he and his son will be co-workers.
Penn State has hired Thomas Allen to be a defensive analyst and analytics coordinator, per the team’s staff directory. The younger Allen was previously a graduate assistant at Indiana before his father was fired as head coach at the end of this past season.
Before that, he played linebacker for his dad for five seasons and was a four-time academic All-Big Ten selection. Allen played in 32 games, ending his career with 56 tackles (3.5 for loss), a sack, an interception and a forced fumble. Indiana’s best season in both Allen’s tenures took place in 2020, when IU finished 6-2 and ranked No. 12. That season marked one of two times Indiana has ever beaten Penn State, with QB Michael Penix’s controversial two-point conversion being the winning score of the season opener. Although most Penn State fans believe Penix was short of the pylon, the older Allen affirmed during his presser Wednesday that he believes the officials got it right.
Unfortunately, the younger Allen suffered a season-ending injury in 2020. He returned in and played in eight of Indiana’s 12 games.
Both of Penn State’s new coordinators now have an analyst on their staff.
Earlier this month, new OC Andy Kotelnicki hired a man who played a big part in his success at Kansas.
His name is Bill Queisert, and he’s been with Kansas since 2020, per Linkedin, starting as an assistant offensive line coach in 2020. From there, he moved to a quality control position, and this past offseason, he moved into an analyst role. Queisert described his job as to “act as right hand for the Offensive Coordinator and assist in the Coaching of Tight Ends and Offensive Line, in conjunction with the development of the offensive unit.”
