Posts filed under ‘Penn State football’
Sign of a New Era
Defensive coordinator Ted Roof fields questions from the press.
Reporters lingered in the lobby of the Lasch Building on Wednesday afternoon, many still in awe of what just occurred.
If there was ever a sign that Penn State football is embarking in a new era, this might have been it: Nittany Lion players and coaches were made available to the media—for in-person interviews—on national signing day.
“It’s a new twist,” junior defensive tackle Jordan Hill said, with a laugh. “It’s a new staff and there’s a lot of new things going on.”
New indeed.
Penn State football was notorious for running a closed door operation under Joe Paterno. No reporters at practice. No unsupervised interviews with players. No exceptions.
Longtime Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Ron Musselman ’81 remembered that not that long ago, Penn State wouldn’t even release the names of their new recruits. Sports information director Jeff Nelson could recall only one occasion where Paterno addressed the media in person on national signing day. And Paterno’s availability that day lasted about 10 minutes.
But Wednesday was different. Five assistant coaches and four players arrived at the Lasch Building to field any questions that came their way.
The mood was relaxed. The players filed in one by one at their leisure. The coaches hung around, laughed, and shook hands with their new beat writers.
It was new ground for everyone.
“This has never been Penn State’s way,” said linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden, one of two assistants Bill O’Brien retained from Paterno’s staff. “I have done that in years past at other universities. But here, it feels a little awkward.”
Nelson said he pitched the idea of making coaches and players available to O’Brien, who is still fulfilling his duties with the New England Patriots, who are playing the New York Giants in Sunday’s Super Bowl. O’Brien had no qualms with the request.
Nelson said this could be the first of many new policies O’Brien might implement.
“[Talking to reporters] on a Wednesday? You didn’t really see that too much when Coach Paterno was our coach,” said running back Silas Redd, one of the most well spoken and thoughtful players on the team. “But Coach O’Brien is a little more lenient with that. I’m guessing that it’s because he’s in the NFL and they’re dealing with media all the time.”
Whatever the reason, it seems everyone’s embracing the change. That includes Larry Johnson, the most tenured coach on O’Brien’s staff. Johnson is entering his 17th year at Penn State. And while things might be different this year, Johnson displayed his usual grin and casual demeanor on Wednesday. For him, it’s just business as usual.
“It’s not necessarily a different culture,” Johnson said. “It’s just something we’re doing moving forward in trying to be transparent. That’s the biggest thing.”
Emily Kaplan, intern
‘Joe Paterno was a Human Being Like the Rest of Us’
This photo by Annemarie Mountz ’84 of public information shows how many came to remember Joe Paterno on Sunday night.
I’m not going to lie—it felt a little odd. Just over two months after I stood on the Old Main lawn along with thousands of students holding candles to remember the victims of child sexual abuse, there I was again Sunday night. Same place, literally, at the foot of the Old Main steps. Same songs by the Blue Band. Many of the same students, I’m sure.
But this vigil was in honor of Joe Paterno.
There were tears again, yes—football players Mike Wallace and Matt McGloin, in particular, choked up as they remembered their coach, who died Sunday morning of metastatic lung cancer. But there was some laughter, too. And a similar feeling of togetherness as the students linked arms and swayed as they sang the alma mater. I wasn’t surprised this time—as I was at the previous vigil—that all of the students know all of the words. That just wasn’t the case back in my day.
What stood out the most to me were the words of Stefen Wisniewski, a former All-America offensive lineman (and Academic All-America) from one of those storied Penn State families; his father and uncle played for Paterno, too. Now a lineman for the Oakland Raiders, Wisniewski was the vigil’s last speaker. This is what he said:
A lot has been talked about today about Joe Paterno’s legacy, and unfortunately, a lot has been said about how the recent events that have taken place over the last few months might affect that legacy. A lot of supporters of Joe Paterno say that he really didn’t do anything wrong and that it shouldn’t have any effect on his legacy. Others say that all the good he has done and his time at Penn State should overshadow what he may have done wrong.
In my opinion, what happened in the recent events and the firing of Joe Paterno is that this figure who we looked up to as this super-human figure, this super legend, that he was kind of reduced to the level of a human being, like the rest of us. And that’s why we hated to see it. But the reality is, Joe Paterno was a human being like the rest of us. He did make wrong decisions. He did maybe fail to make right decisions. Like the rest of us do. Like the rest of us do, he’s done things in his life that require forgiveness, and he’s done things in his life that require redemption.
But when I think back over Joe Paterno’s legacy, the events that have happened over the last three months won’t even cross my mind. When I think back on Joe Paterno’s legacy, I’m gonna remember sitting at his kitchen table as he recruited me five years ago, eating cookies made by SuePa. And I remember leaving that meeting both excited about the prospect of playing at Penn State for Joe Paterno and simultaneously terrified at what he might do to me if I didn’t go there, the same place where my father and uncle both played.
I’m also going to remember …. Whew, so many memories. I’m also going to remember when Coach, at age 82, got down in an offensive lineman stance and showed me how to snap a football. Because I was terrible at it. I’m better now.
I also remember, as a Penn State student, walking through Paterno Library, a library that exists only because Joe Paterno loved the university enough to donate millions of dollars for it to be created. Because he was committed, not just to Penn State football, but to Penn State as a university. He was committed to education. He loved his place, and all of us who are part of Penn State are better as a result.
I also remember as a player, two years ago, playing against Northwestern, being down three touchdowns, coming back to win JoePa’s 400th victory. Watching players carry him off and seeing that No. 400 up on the screen. A number that is never gonna be touched by any coach ever again because no one has the commitment that Joe Paterno does.
I also remember that Joe Paterno taught us about success with honor and that it wasn’t enough for him just to win football games. He wanted to do it the right way. He wanted to do it with players who were going to graduate and players who would go on to be leaders in their communities and great husbands, great fathers. And he really did care as much about his players’ character as he did about what kind of football players they were going to be. Because he knew that our football careers were very short, but that we’re going to be husbands and fathers and leaders the rest of our lives.
And finally, when I think of Joe Paterno, I’ll remember that after every game he ever coached, whether it be a great loss or a great victory, that Joe Paterno knelt down with his players after the game and prayed the Our Father with us. We love you, Joe. And it’s my prayer that that father God you prayed to after each and every game will grant you rest and let his eternal light shine upon you.
Lori Shontz, senior editor
Of Rooting Interests, Records, and a Rout
The Steeler fans in our office won’t agree with me, but for most Penn Staters, there’s still plenty of reason to pay attention to the NFL playoffs. Three of the four teams that will play this weekend for a Super Bowl berth boast contributions from former (and, in one case, brand-new) Nittany Lions.
All-pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman ’09 (pictured) was among the defensive stars for the San Francisco 49ers, who beat New Orleans on Saturday to set up a meeting with the New York Giants in the NFC championship game. Bowman recorded 10 tackles in San Francisco’s dramatic 36-32 win over the Saints. Among the Giants who will try to slow Bowman this weekend is Kareem McKenzie ’01, a Big Blue stalwart who has started nearly every game at offensive tackle for the past decade. Jimmy Kennedy ’02 is also on the Giants roster, as a reserve defensive lineman.
Over in the AFC, there aren’t any Penn Staters on the Baltimore Ravens’ roster, while Rich Ohrnberger ’08 holds down a spot on the New England Patriots’ injured reserve. Of course, the Pats have become a team of interest for Nittany Lion fans, as New England’s 45-10 drubbing of Denver showcased the offense run by new Penn State coach Bill O’Brien. Unless you’re a Broncos fan, that was fun to watch.
There’s plenty happening with current Penn State athletes, of course, and a typically busy winter sports weekend brought two highlights of note. The first came courtesy of the fleet feet of freshman Robby Creese, who set a U.S. collegiate and under-19 record in the 1,000 meters. He covered five laps at the Ashenfelter Indoor Track in 2:19.53. I got winded just typing that.
And the defending NCAA champion wrestling team recorded a first, blanking conference rival Wisconsin, 43-0, on the road for the program’s first ever Big Ten dual meet shutout.
Ryan Jones, senior editor
A Few More Thoughts on Bill O’Brien
The news hasn’t stopped since Bill O’Brien was announced Saturday as Penn State’s new football coach.
As he promised in his introductory press conference, O’Brien is working to fill out his coaching staff even as he completes his current job of preparing the New England Patriots’ offense for its playoff run. In addition to defensive line coach Larry Johnson, O’Brien announced he will keep linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden from the Nittany Lions’ existing staff. It looks increasingly like the rest of O’Brien’s staff will come from elsewhere.
Already on board is Charles London, an offensive assistant with the Tennessee Titans with whom O’Brien coached at Duke; he’ll coach the Nittany Lion running backs. And reports Monday stated that O’Brien was set to name Ball State offensive line coach John Strollo (another former Duke colleague) and Buffalo Bills wide receivers coach Stan Hixon (with whom O’Brien coached at Georgia Tech) to his staff soon. Rumors abound about the makeup of the rest of the staff.
Opinions about O’Brien’s hiring abound as well, of course, and most have been (more…)
A High-Profile Introduction for Bill O’Brien
What a difference 46 years makes.
After Rip Engle retired as Penn State’s football coach, Joe Paterno was introduced at his successor at a news conference on Saturday morning, Feb. 19, 1966. On the front page of the next issue of The Daily Collegian, this was the top headline: “Model U.N. Whips USSR Bloc.”
Underneath, there were stories about whether changing the rules on female students living in apartments would lead to moral ruin (one student testified that at other schools with similar rules, “they have no trouble with pregnancies”), about the Collegian’s new editor and business manager, and about the concert that kicked off Greek Week 1966: Simon and Garfunkel in Recreation Building.
Paterno was mentioned on page 6. At the bottom. In a story headlined “Paterno Retains Staff.”
To be fair, the Collegian published Tuesday through Saturday in those days, so the news was a couple of days old. But it’s still remarkable to contrast the introduction of Paterno with that of his successor, Bill O’Brien, who was introduced Saturday morning at the Nittany Lion Inn in a ballroom full of media members, donors, university officials, alumni, and what seemed like some fans who wandered in. O’Brien’s news conference was televised and streamed live by the Big Ten Network (if you missed it, you can watch it here), and dozens of media tweeted his every word to an eager Penn State fan base and a national audience.
And, of course, the composition of O’Brien’s staff, while important, wasn’t the big story. It was how and why he was chosen to lead Penn State after the Sandusky scandal.
O’Brien’s Friday evening flight from Boston to State College was tracked online by media, and shortly after the plane landed at University Park Airport, photos started to show up on Twitter. The photos, taken in the dark, weren’t great—Jim Seip of the York Daily Record tweeted that he’d seen better definition in photos of Sasquatch.
Photographers got better shots Saturday before the new coach actually met the media; O’Brien’s 5-year-old son, Michael, (more…)
Intense and Confident, O’Brien Says He’s Ready for “Unbelievable” Chance at Penn State
First impressions won’t help Bill O’Brien win a single football game — not directly, anyway — but Penn State’s 15th head football coach knew there was much more at stake Saturday morning. In his introduction as the Nittany Lions’ new coach, O’Brien looked and sounded like a man who understood those stakes. He also didn’t look the least bit intimidated.
Greeting a packed Nittany Lion Inn ballroom with the words “This is unbelievable,” O’Brien came off intense, confident, and fully aware of what he’s gotten himself into. With his wife, Colleen, and the younger of his two sons sitting in the front row and roughly 100 media members crammed in behind them, O’Brien offered a statement and took questions. He covered a lot of ground. Among the highlights:
—He acknowledged the unrest regarding the coaching search among fans and former players, reading from a letter he’d written in which he asked for the chance to earn Penn Staters’ respect: “There is so much pride in Penn State, and we will never take that for granted, ever.” (It’s worth noting that LaVar Arrington and Brandon Short, former players who were most critical of the search that led to O’Brien’s hiring, have begun walking back their comments, and the Football Letterman’s Club on Saturday released a letter welcoming O’Brien and pledging support.)
—He spoke of growing up admiring Penn State’s program and image, and Joe Paterno in particular. Of his fellow Brown alum, O’Brien said, “I can’t wait to meet him at some point.”
—He said he planned to complete his coaching staff in the next “two or three days,” and while not ruling out any other members of the current staff, announced that Nittany Lion defensive line coach and ace recruiter Larry Johnson Sr. will be retained. (Longtime defensive coordinator Tom Bradley released a statement Saturday all but confirming his time at the program has come to an end.)
—He spoke briefly of his football philosophy, promising a “game-plan offense” — a phrase that immediately had the message boards buzzing, and which seems to imply innovation and adaptability to what opposing defenses present — and a continuation of Penn State’s reputation for dominant defenses.
There’s much, much more, and if you missed it, you can watch O’Brien’s press conference — including introductory remarks from University president Rod Erickson and acting athletic director Dave Joyner — in its entirety on BTN.com. I imagine we’ll be writing about Coach O’Brien once or twice in the coming days and weeks as well.
Ryan Jones, senior editor
A Note About an ‘Unknown’ Coach
Let me start by saying that I have no idea whether Bill O’Brien will turn out to be the right coach for Penn State, and I’m certainly one of the people who knew him only as Guy Who Yelled at Tom Brady until recently. But while I was flipping through decades of old issues to gather nuggets for our 100th anniversary issue, I came across these paragraphs in the “Old Main Columns” department in the April 1966 issue:
The announcement of Rip Engle’s voluntary retirement was expressed through the radio and press on Friday morning, February 18. On that evening Rip was scheduled for an appearance at a dinner meeting of the Bucks County Penn State Club. Alumni in attendance were conscious of having been privileged to be with the popular Engle on a very special occasion and at a significant time in the coach’s life. The public was not to know officially of Joe Paterno’s appointment until Monday.
Rip was in a very light-hearted mood and willingly answered most of the questions put to him following his formal talk. However, he hesitated when some alumnus asked him about next season’s team. “I don’t think I should talk about that,” he replied, slowly. “You’ll be having Joe down here one of these days …” Realizing what he had said, Rip quickly continued, “Any more questions?” “Yes,” someone replied from the back of the room. “Who’s Joe?”
Lori Shontz, senior editor
Bill O’Brien Lands in Happy Valley
Nearly 24 hours after his hiring was reported by the media, and nearly two months after Joe Paterno’s six-decade tenure came to an end, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien on Friday was officially announced as the 15th head coach in Penn State football history.
O’Brien, who reportedly signed a five-year contract, will be introduced Saturday morning in a press conference at the Nittany Lion Inn. The press conference will be carried live at 11:30 a.m. on Big Ten Network and BTN.com.
O’Brien, 42, is wrapping up his fifth season as an assistant coach with the Patriots, his first NFL team after 14 seasons as a college assistant. (There’s a nice career summary here.) His first coaching gig was as an assistant at Brown, his alma mater. Of course, Brown is Joe Paterno’s alma mater, as well.
Paterno released a statement Friday evening congratulating O’Brien, (more…)
Reports: Bill O’Brien Is Penn State’s Next Football Coach
Weeks of rumors and dozens of names appeared to settle Thursday night on New England Patriots assistant coach Bill O’Brien, who, according to a pair of online reports, has agreed to be the next head coach of the Penn State football program.
As of early Friday morning, nothing had yet been confirmed by the University, but reports say O’Brien’s hiring could be announced as soon as Friday, and the new coach introduced Saturday. What seems certain is that, if he is the guy, O’Brien will have his work cut out to convince fans and disgruntled former players that he’s the right man for the job.
Ryan Jones, senior editor
An Unhappy, Uncertain Start to the New Year
The strangest and saddest season in Penn State football history came to a close Monday with a lopsided loss to Houston in the TicketCity Bowl. That leaves the coaching search, which figures to be finalized this month, and possibly as soon as the next few days — although, as we’ve stated, very few people have any idea when that decision will be made.
The only thing we do know is that literally dozens of names have been “reported” by various outlets as possible candidates. Among the names being taken most seriously in the new year: San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, New England Patriots’ quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien — whose hiring Jon Saraceno ’79 of USA Today reported as imminent just two days ago — Boise State head coach Chris Petersen, and, yes, Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak ’82. Despite a public denial of interest in returning to his alma mater, Munchak (pictured), whose Titans were eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend, is rumored to be considering the job.
The New York Times has an interesting take on the uncertainty surrounding the search, summing up a growing consensus: “Who will the next coach of the Nittany Lions be? No one is sure. Maybe not even Penn State.”
Ryan Jones, senior editor
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