Allen

Just a year removed from Penn State’s program, Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen will be coaching against his former team.

After being the head coach at Indiana two years ago, Allen was the defensive coordinator for the Nittany Lions for a year before moving on to Clemson in the same position.

“I’m looking forward to seeing players and coaches and staff members that will be there,” Allen said. “I was only there for a year, but I still built some great relationships there. I think that sticks out the most.”

The Penn State that Allen knew looks a little different from just a year ago. He said he was ‘heartbroken’ for PSU quarterback Drew Allar when he was lost for the season with an injury.

“I know how hard he worked, and everything he did to get ready for this season,” Allen said.

Of course, Allen’s former boss in James Franklin was fired, and his defensive backs coach Terry Smith has one more game as the interim coach before he moves back to an assistant under Matt Campbell.

“Terry did a great job with our corners when I was there,” Allen said. “He’s just tough and gritty. It’s not a surprise to me that he’s done a great job.”

Nothing has gone to plan on either side for the teams in the Pinstripe Bowl. Both Penn State (6-6) and Clemson (7-5) were top-10 teams with high expectations coming into the season. The Tigers started off the season 1-3 with losses to LSU, Georgia Tech, and Syracuse, and never really got any traction until late in the season when they finished with wins in the last four contests.

“We felt we could meet in the playoffs when I left Penn State,” Allen said.

While Penn State has just a few opt-outs on their side, it’s a much different story for Clemson. Tiger head coach Dabo Swinney said recently Clemson has as many as 27 players sitting out the bowl game for various reasons. The majority of those sitting out are for injuries, although a few have declared for the NFL Draft.

“You have to have the mindset of next man up,” Allen said. “It’s just part of the situation we find ourselves in. We just focus on the guys that are there. What a great opportunity for them. That’s what the situation is. I’m excited for these guys to be able to show who they are.”

Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who is the younger brother of USC head coach Lincoln Riley, said Allen has been a great resource in preparation for Penn State.

“We just try to gain as much insight as possible on personnel,” Riley said. “It’s a different coach and a different system, but you try to get a pulse as much as you can. Some of that information is helpful. He’s definitely a guy we bounce ideas off.”

Allen said he’s only been to New York a handful of times, and never to Yankee Stadium, making the experience a special one.

“All the players and coaches I’ve talked to have talked so highly of the experience and being able to spend Christmas in New York,” Allen said. “A lot of our players have never been there at all. It’s going to be a special time.”