For the third time in as many years, Penn State football is searching for a defensive coordinator.
Tom Allen reportedly agreed to join Clemson as its defensive coordinator after just one season with the Nittany Lions. Allen’s departure is untimely considering his success last season and other good options who’ve already found their next landing spot.
There are still, however, some good candidates for the job out there. Some are internal hires, and others are big swings. Let’s look at them.
If Penn State chooses an in-house replacement, it’ll most likely be Anthony Poindexter. He’s generated head coaching interest in the past, as he interviewed for Virginia’s opening three years ago. The Cavalier alum was viewed as the favorite at one point until he announced he’d be staying in Happy Valley.
Although Poindexter has implied he’s happy with his current role, Penn State would be a convenient place for him to become a defensive coordinator again after serving the role at UConn from 2014 to 2016. He’d have significantly more resources and talent, and he already has experience coaching NFL-level players such as Jaquan Brisker and Ji’Ayir Brown.
If Poindexter becomes the new coordinator, it would likely boost Penn State’s passing defense the most, especially because promising players such as cornerback Elliot Washington II and safety Dejuan Lane appear primed to start next season. The Nittany Lions finished No. 31 in pass defense this season with 192.9 yards per game, but finished at No. 7 and No. 23 in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The 31-year-old Deion Barnes lacks the experience Poindexter has, as he just completed his second season as Penn State’s defensive line coach after previously serving as a graduate assistant for three years.
Despite his inexperience, though, Barnes has already established himself as arguably the program’s most important assistant coach. He’s coached 12 All-Big Ten defensive linemen, including four first-team selections, a first-team All-American, and a second-team All-American.
What’s beginning to stand out about Barnes is his recruiting success. He lured Max Granville, a Texas native, to Happy Valley. Multiple players have already expressed belief he’ll live up to his four-star rating and perhaps even exceed it. Some of Barnes’ top-ranked recruits are four-stars who committed last summer.
Of course, Barnes’ success on the recruiting trail has paid off on the field. The Nittany Lions had the No. 9-ranked rushing defense with 101.9 yards allowed per game this season. It ranked first with 75.5 last season. If James Franklin taps Barnes, the risk is he’s not ripe enough for a defensive coordinator job. However, the potential he’ll become a home-run hire is present.
Terry Smith, a longtime Franklin lieutenant, has been at Penn State for 11 years. He just completed his 29th season as a coach, meaning he knows Penn State’s program as well as anyone and has more experience than Barnes and Poindexter. Despite playing wide receiver for Joe Paterno, Smith coaches cornerbacks and is the defensive recruiting coordinator.
Players have raved about Smith’s brutally honest coaching style. Franklin frequently seeks his perspective and opinions when making tough decisions.
If Franklin promotes his right-hand man, Smith should continue to recruit as successfully as he has recently. Although such a move is unlikely given Smith’s continuity as an assistant and not a coordinator, he deserves consideration given his experience.
The first outside hire on the list is Andy Avalos, who found success at TCU in his first season on the job.
After the Horned Frogs ranked No. 79 in total defense in 2023, Avalos had them ranked No. 45 last season. Avalos was nominated for the Broyles Award while he was Oregon’s defensive coordinator in 2019. He served in the same role at Boise State, where he was the Broncos’ head coach from 2021 to 2023.
Avalos has found success as a defensive coordinator everywhere he’s been. Franklin highlighted the importance of having former head coaches on his staff before the Orange Bowl, and Avalos fits the bill. Avalos would have a surplus of talent and resources to be successful at Penn State, so the hire would make sense if he’s willing to move to the East Coast for the first time in his career.
Yes, this would be a grand slam hire. No, it does not seem likely to happen.
However, Al Golden’s ties to Penn State are why he’s on this list. Golden played for Joe Paterno from 1988 to 1991 and was Paterno’s linebackers coach during the 2000 season. How about a homecoming?
Additionally, Golden would likely end Penn State’s three-year streak of searching for a new defensive coordinator. He was Temple’s head coach from 2006 to 2010 before taking Miami (FL)’s job in 2011 and staying until 2015. Golden was a position coach in the NFL for six years until becoming a defensive coordinator again with the Fighting Irish.
Golden would be expensive, but his proven track record of consistently coaching top defenses and the likelihood of stability could be worth the cost.
Please choose an option below.
Nolan is a senior journalism major from Silver Spring, Maryland. He’s an avid D.C sports and Liverpool fan who loves going to games in his free time. Nolan mainly writes about Penn State football, men’s hockey, and baseball. You can follow him on Twitter @nolan_wick or email him at [email protected].
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