With last year’s hire, Tom Allen, likely off to lead the Clemson defense, let’s take a look at some of the candidates who could join Penn State for the 2025 season — with all five currently at Power-4 programs in college football.

Notre Dame's 24-point second-half eruption in the College Football Playoff semifinal didn't just end Penn State's championship hopes. It also exposed the fragility of defensive stability in Happy Valley, where coordinator transitions have become an unwanted tradition.

Penn State’s defensive coordinator position remains open as of early Wednesday afternoon. James Franklin must replace Tom Allen, the former Indiana head coach who spent one season with the Nittany Lions before taking the Clemson defensive coordinator job earlier this week.