CLEMSON: Clemson coach Dabo Swinney first thanked outgoing defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin for his work during his three seasons running that side of the ball, but then he owned the fact that things were not working well enough over there and a change needed to be made.
Then, Swinney turned the page to the future of the Clemson defense under his new coordinator Tom Allen. The former Indiana head coach was the DC at Penn State this season and helped build a top ten unit for a playoff semi-finalist.
One new twist to the job at Clemson will be what Allen experienced at Penn State. While he’s technically the linebackers coach, he will help to coach all positions, ,and he will not go on the road recruiting. Swinney said that will allow Allen to spend all lof his time with the team.
Allen, who has a daughter and family living in Greenville, said family was a major part of his decision to move again, and also the opportunity to work with Swinney was too good to pass up.
Clemson gave Allen a three year contract that will pay him an average of $2 million per season.