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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.<\/p>\n
Tom Allen’s departure to Clemson<\/a> on Tuesday marked Penn State’s third defensive coordinator exit since 2021. While head coach James Franklin scans the college football landscape for a replacement (Ohio State’s Jim Knowles? USC’s D’Anton Lynn?), the most logical successor already is on his staff: Anthony Poindexter, the team’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.<\/p>\n Poindexter\u2019s candidacy gains urgency because Virginia Tech is rumored to be pursuing<\/a> him for its DC vacancy under head coach (and former Nittany Lions DC) Brent Pry.\u00a0<\/p>\n Penn State\u2019s Board of Trustees\u2019 Committee on Equity and Human Resources has scheduled meetings for Friday at 10 a.m. and Monday at 9 a.m., suggesting a decision could be imminent.\u00a0<\/p>\n Per State College.com<\/a>, “It\u2019s the duty of Penn State\u2019s HR committee to approve the compensation of any hire or promotion that exceeds that of the university president at any point in the contract.”<\/p>\n These developments underscore the importance of decisive action to secure Poindexter\u2019s future and to provide stability to a unit that has experienced frequent turnover.<\/p>\n Under Poindexter’s guidance, linebacker Abdul Carter developed into one of Penn State’s more dynamic defensive players, transforming from a raw talent into an NFL prospect.\u00a0<\/p>\n This player development pattern extends beyond Carter. Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker earned All-Rookie honors<\/a> after learning under Poindexter. San Francisco 49ers safety Ji’Ayir Brown, another former Penn State player who learned under Poindexter, has transitioned seamlessly into the NFL.<\/p>\n