Two meetings scheduled by Penn State’s Board of Trustees Committee on Equity and Human Resources may mark the end of a quick search for the football program’s open defensive coordinator position following Tom Allen’s departure.

On Tuesday, Allen, who held the position this past season, was named Clemson’s defensive coordinator after his one-year stint with Penn State.

The Committee on Equity and Human Resources is responsible for approving any hire or promotion whose pay surpasses the university president’s at any time throughout the contract. Prior to recent high-profile hires like offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and Allen in December 2023, these meetings have been the standard procedure in recent years.

After committee structures were revised in mid-2024, the Committee on Equity and Human Resources took over the responsibilities of the former Subcommittee on Compensation, which was responsible for contract terms that required board approval.

The first meeting will start with an executive session at 10 a.m. and end with a public session at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, January 17. The second meeting will start with an executive session at 9 a.m. and a public session beginning at 9:45 a.m. on Monday, January 20.