Part of the D's confusion was that they couldn't understand the DC's voice

[Obliviax]

according to this article in StateCollege.com.

Apparently, DC Allen's voice is/was so raspy that the player wearing the comms helmet (the green dot) couldn't understand his defensive play call. Looks like Dan Conner is now the voice of the D.

Penn State DC Tom Allen's Move to Box Puts Spotlight on All-Time Great

There was a dress rehearsal the day before Penn State played Kent State. Tom Allen, the team’s defensive coordinator, went to the coaches’ box. Dan

www.statecollege.com

 

[PSUSignore]

I'm not sure I've ever heard Tom Allen's regular speaking voice, seems he is always hoarse when interviewed. That's not something I'd have thought of when it comes to helmet comms, sounds like the team found out the hard way in a live game but at least we still won. It will be interesting to see how the helmet comms do in a "whiteout" crowd this week, which could be really noisy.

 

[PSUMATT85]

I'm not sure I've ever heard Tom Allen's regular speaking voice, seems he is always hoarse when interviewed. That's not something I'd have thought of when it comes to helmet comms, sounds like the team found out the hard way in a live game but at least we still won. It will be interesting to see how the helmet comms do in a "whiteout" crowd this week, which could be really noisy.

How did it work at WVU?

 

[PSUSignore]

How did it work at WVU?

The issue is the defensive signals, so the WVU crowd would have been quiet when we were on defense. Allen said that in the first half of the Bowling Green game they had some comms issues that contibuted to the defensive struggles. They adjusted something (I don't believe he said specifically what) on the fly for the rest of that game. The crowd noise wouldn't have been much of an issue for Kent St. This week will likely be the loudest to date with the new helmet comms for the defense.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

How did it work at WVU?

That is a good question. However, I have never understood Tom Allen in any of his press conferences. His voice is so hoarse all the time. I can't understand how the players grasp his instructions at practice.

 

[Lion_Backer]

The issue is the defensive signals, so the WVU crowd would have been quiet when we were on defense. Allen said that in the first half of the Bowling Green game they had some comms issues that contibuted to the defensive struggles. They adjusted something (I don't believe he said specifically what) on the fly for the rest of that game. The crowd noise wouldn't have been much of an issue for Kent St. This week will likely be the loudest to date with the new helmet comms for the defense.

The home crowd always (should) make the most noise when their defense is on the field.

Trying to make it difficult for the QB to efficiently communicate the play to his teammates, disrupt the snap count from being heard and prevent audibles from being effectively communicated.

And according to King, perhaps it's more than just the voice:

“Him not being on the mic, Dan Connor having the mic and it being a different voice that is more understandable, not saying that Coach Allen wasn’t understandable, but (Connor’s) a younger guy. He gets us more,” King said after practice on Wednesday.

 

[Hugh Laurie]

In addition to fixing a communication problem, I see this as a move to groom Connor to possibly be PSU's next DC when Allen departs in a year or two.

 

[bcspsu]

In addition to fixing a communication problem, I see this as a move to groom Connor to possibly be PSU's next DC when Allen departs in a year or two.

Speaking about that, I always thought that Sean Lee had coach written all over him after he retired. I really thought that he would be a DC and eventually a head coach. Does anybody know what he's doing these days?

By the way, I used to work with both Sean's father and uncle, who are both attorneys, and Sean's grandfather was a former U.S. District Court Judge.

 

[Obliviax]

Speaking about that, I always thought that Sean Lee had coach written all over him after he retired. I really thought that he would be a DC and eventually a head coach. Does anybody know what he's doing these days?

By the way, I used to work with both Sean's father and uncle, who are both attorneys, and Sean's grandfather was a former U.S. District Court Judge.

IDK but that life isn't for everyone. I know guys that move every year or two and drag their families all over the nation when they are trying to start or raise a family. PSU has been remarkably stable but in most programs you get promoted by moving to another team.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

In addition to fixing a communication problem, I see this as a move to groom Connor to possibly be PSU's next DC when Allen departs in a year or two.

Really? Based on that?I would give that less than .01% of happening. Franklin's last two defensive coordinator hires have been previous P5 HCs. Dan is currently an analyst. Him "calling" the plays is in the most literal sense ever - TA communicates the play to Dan, and Dan literally speaks it into the microphone.

This fanbase's obsession with the narrative of <insert former star player> would make an amazing coach is absolutely baffling.

 

[bcspsu]

IDK but that life isn't for everyone. I know guys that move every year or two and drag their families all over the nation when they are trying to start or raise a family. PSU has been remarkably stable but in most programs you get promoted by moving to another team.

I never could live the live of most football coaches because of all of the movement that most of them end of doing.

 

[Lion_Backer]

Really? Based on that?I would give that less than .01% of happening. Franklin's last two defensive coordinator hires have been previous P5 HCs. Dan is currently an analyst. Him "calling" the plays is in the most literal sense ever - TA communicates the play to Dan, and Dan literally speaks it into the microphone.

This fanbase's obsession with the narrative of <insert former star player> would make an amazing coach is absolutely baffling.

From the referenced article:

There’s a widespread trust among the defense, from players to coach, in Connor. That’s part of the reason Allen has felt comfortable handing him the headset. The Nittany Lions’ defensive helmet communication is not a small issue. It’s the relaying of plays used to win games, and Connor has been trusted to be the middleman.

Connor has only wowed fellow staffers, like longtime cornerbacks coach Terry Smith, who believes his coaching career has only just begun.

“Dan is as amazing a coach as he was a player,” Smith said. “He’s very dynamic. He doesn’t talk a lot, but when he talks, there’s such great substance behind it. He’s a great leader. He’s very insightful. You can see all the reasons why he was a great player, why he is Penn State’s all-time leading tackler, and he just passes that on to the linebacker crew.”

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

From the referenced article:

There’s a widespread trust among the defense, from players to coach, in Connor. That’s part of the reason Allen has felt comfortable handing him the headset. The Nittany Lions’ defensive helmet communication is not a small issue. It’s the relaying of plays used to win games, and Connor has been trusted to be the middleman.

Connor has only wowed fellow staffers, like longtime cornerbacks coach Terry Smith, who believes his coaching career has only just begun.

“Dan is as amazing a coach as he was a player,” Smith said. “He’s very dynamic. He doesn’t talk a lot, but when he talks, there’s such great substance behind it. He’s a great leader. He’s very insightful. You can see all the reasons why he was a great player, why he is Penn State’s all-time leading tackler, and he just passes that on to the linebacker crew.”

Based on that quote by a lifetime assistant - you think Dan Connor is the next DC at PSU? He's literally the middleman. He speaks someone elses words into the microphone. There are literally 5 position coaches that would be in line prior to the analyst Dan Connor.

 

[tboyer]

In addition to fixing a communication problem, I see this as a move to groom Connor to possibly be PSU's next DC when Allen departs in a year or two.

It will be a while before he's ready for a DC role but it's great to know he's back in Happy Valley. As a player he had a sky-high football IQ, he was almost like a coach on the field. 6 years as an NFL linebacker.

 

[Lion_Backer]

Based on that quote by a lifetime assistant - you think Dan Connor is the next DC at PSU? He's literally the middleman. He speaks someone elses words into the microphone. There are literally 5 position coaches that would be in line prior to the analyst Dan Connor.

Coach Terry is currently the Associate Head Coach at PSU.

I have offered no opinion on whether I think Dan would or would not be qualified to actually be a DC at PSU. However, having known coach Terry for a while and understanding the vantage point that he has regarding this topic, I do respect his opinion about Dan C's coaching potential.

 

[RickinDayton]

I'm not sure I've ever heard Tom Allen's regular speaking voice, seems he is always hoarse when interviewed. That's not something I'd have thought of when it comes to helmet comms, sounds like the team found out the hard way in a live game but at least we still won. It will be interesting to see how the helmet comms do in a "whiteout" crowd this week, which could be really noisy.

I heard a few of the helmet comm demonstrations and the voice comm is rather garbled. If Coach Allen has voice issues that will increase the communication problems.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

Coach Terry is currently the Associate Head Coach at PSU.

I have offered no opinion on whether I think Dan would or would not be qualified to actually be a DC at PSU. However, having known coach Terry for a while and understanding the vantage point that he has regarding this topic, I do respect his opinion about Dan C's coaching potential.

You literally just said this in the same thread:

"In addition to fixing a communication problem, I see this as a move to groom Connor to possibly be PSU's next DC when Allen departs in a year or two."

Don't get me wrong, Dan was a great player and PSU representative, and seemingly is highly regarded as an analyst to Tom Allen. But to say because Dan is the middleman/speaker of Tom Allen's actual playcalls, he is now being groomed to be DC in a year or two when Allen moves on? An analyst to defensive coordinator move? At a top 10 program? Where the last two DCs have come from previous HC experience?

I'm saying your take will never happen, and is wrong. Happy to bookmark for when the next DC search starts.

 

[Lion_Backer]

You literally just said this in the same thread:

"In addition to fixing a communication problem, I see this as a move to groom Connor to possibly be PSU's next DC when Allen departs in a year or two."

Don't get me wrong, Dan was a great player and PSU representative, and seemingly is highly regarded as an analyst to Tom Allen. But to say because Dan is the middleman/speaker of Tom Allen's actual playcalls, he is now being groomed to be DC in a year or two when Allen moves on? An analyst to defensive coordinator move? At a top 10 program? Where the last two DCs have come from previous HC experience?

I'm saying your take will never happen, and is wrong. Happy to bookmark for when the next DC search starts.

I responded to a post that you made in response to a different poster, Hugh Laurie. He is the one who mentioned Dan's potential to become the next DC.

I was merely pointing out where some random PSU fan like me could reach the conclusion that Dan C had coaching potential and pointing out what Coach Terry had to say.

 

[bdgan]

according to this article in StateCollege.com.

Apparently, DC Allen's voice is/was so raspy that the player wearing the comms helmet (the green dot) couldn't understand his defensive play call. Looks like Dan Conner is now the voice of the D.

Penn State DC Tom Allen's Move to Box Puts Spotlight on All-Time Great

There was a dress rehearsal the day before Penn State played Kent State. Tom Allen, the team’s defensive coordinator, went to the coaches’ box. Dan

www.statecollege.com

I'm calling partial B.S. on that article. You can't look at the shutout over Kent State as evidence that any communication problems were resolved. Kent State is ranked 133 out of 133 teams on offense.

 

[Obliviax]

I'm calling partial B.S. on that article. You can't look at the shutout over Kent State as evidence that any communication problems were resolved. Kent State is ranked 133 out of 133 teams on offense.

Agreed, from a fan perspective. However, the players and coaches probably know better in terms of smooth communication and efficiency.

 

[PSUSignore]

In addition to fixing a communication problem, I see this as a move to groom Connor to possibly be PSU's next DC when Allen departs in a year or two.

I doubt that Connor jumps from analyst to DC in a few years time. He does have some small time football coaching experience though. That's not meant as an insult, just that his prior coaching stops are nothing like P4 football programs. That doesn't mean he won't be a DC at a big time program eventually, but I'd imagine he's still quite a few years away from that.

 

[bdgan]

Agreed, from a fan perspective. However, the players and coaches probably know better in terms of smooth communication and efficiency.

I'm not discounting the fact that Allen is difficult to understand. I'm just challenging this statement: "With Allen in the booth and Connor’s clearer voice in the mic against the Golden Flashes, it was resolved".

 

[nittanymoops]

So Tom Allen is hard to understand? Yes, he is.

However, a perfectly clear-throated Ed Orgeron says “Hold my (unintelligible).”