Penn State defensive coordinator [autotag]Tom Allen[/autotag] has been enjoying his first season in Happy Valley, and his performance this season has not gone unnoticed. Allen was named a semifinalist for the Broyles Award, which is awarded to college football’s top assistant coach.
The Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation announced its list of 15 semi-finalists for this year’s top assistant coach on Tuesday. Allen was one of four assistants from the Big Ten to make the latest cut. He is also one of 11 defensive coordinators on the list of semi-finalists.
Some of the other notable semi-finalists for this year’s Broyles Award include Al Golden (Notre Dame defensive coordinator), Jim Knowles (Ohio State defensive coordinator), and Tosh Lupoi (Oregon defensive coordinator).
The Broyles Award has a strong history of having winners go on to receive head coaching opportunities. Some previous winners of the Broyles Award include Steve Sarkisian, Mike Locksley, Lincoln Riley, Pat Narduzzi, Gus Malzahn, and Kirby Smart.
Last year’s winner was Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker.
Penn State has never had an assistant win the Broyles Award.
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