Notre Dame’s 24-point second-half eruption within the Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinal did not simply finish Penn State’s championship hopes. It additionally uncovered the fragility of defensive stability in Blissful Valley, the place coordinator transitions have turn out to be an undesirable custom.
Tom Allen’s departure to Clemson on Tuesday marked Penn State’s third defensive coordinator exit since 2021. Whereas head coach James Franklin scans the faculty soccer panorama for a substitute (Ohio State’s Jim Knowles? USC’s D’Anton Lynn?), essentially the most logical successor already is on his workers: Anthony Poindexter, the staff’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
Poindexter’s candidacy good points urgency as a result of Virginia Tech is rumored to be pursuing him for its DC emptiness beneath head coach (and former Nittany Lions DC) Brent Pry.
Penn State’s Board of Trustees’ Committee on Fairness and Human Assets has scheduled conferences for Friday at 10 a.m. and Monday at 9 a.m., suggesting a call may very well be imminent.
Per State College.com, “It’s the responsibility of Penn State’s HR committee to approve the compensation of any rent or promotion that exceeds that of the college president at any level within the contract.”
These developments underscore the significance of decisive motion to safe Poindexter’s future and to offer stability to a unit that has skilled frequent turnover.
Below Poindexter’s steerage, linebacker Abdul Carter developed into certainly one of Penn State’s extra dynamic defensive gamers, remodeling from a uncooked expertise into an NFL prospect.
This participant improvement sample extends past Carter. Chicago Bears security Jaquan Brisker earned All-Rookie honors after studying beneath Poindexter. San Francisco 49ers security Ji’Ayir Brown, one other former Penn State participant who discovered beneath Poindexter, has transitioned seamlessly into the NFL.
“I attempt to give them their freedom,” Poindexter told Rich Scarcella of the Reading Eagle. “All of them have a sure talent that they do properly. Play to that energy. That was the fantastic thing about having Ji’Ayir Brown and Jaquan Brisker. They’ve some elite traits. I don’t care how good a coach you’re; you possibly can’t coach a few of that stuff.
The 48-year-old Faculty Soccer Corridor of Famer brings earlier coordinator expertise from Connecticut (2014-16), matching Franklin’s standards for assistants able to working their items independently.
Handed over final January after Manny Diaz departed for Duke’s head- teaching place, Poindexter appears to be a great candidate for the Penn State opening. His DC apprenticeship seems full.
In 2025, QB Drew Allar will return to steer an offense minus tight finish Tyler Warren, a possible 2025 NFL Draft first-round decide, and a number of receivers to the switch portal. Working backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen will present backfield stability, however defensive consistency turns into paramount for one more playoff push.
Selling Poindexter creates instant benefits: schematic continuity, confirmed participant improvement and workers flexibility. Franklin’s resolution might decide whether or not Penn State reinforces its defensive identification or dangers one other system overhaul.
