It’s in the Bag

This well-worn equipment bag had everything Caldwell needed to deal with nearly any on-field issue: scissors to remove tape, a hand pump to inflate helmets, and an array of screws, buckles, and snaps to fix helmets and shoulder pads. (That’s Caldwell and fellow former manager Kirk Diehl ’96 Com, above, making in-game adjustments to former defensive back and current assistant coach D’Anton Lynn ’13 Lib.) Below, spare chinstraps hang from his back pockets as he tends to the ragged turf at the 2010 Capital One Bowl, best remembered for what Caldwell calls “the worst field conditions of my career.”

A Lasting Connection

Joining the program as a student manager in 1983, Caldwell spent nearly three decades working for Joe Paterno, and the former coach’s presence remained visible throughout his office: above, a game ball commemorating Paterno’s 400th win, and the last spare pair of the black turf shoes—custom-made and inspired by the Air Commanders he had worn for years, but which Nike discontinued in 1995—that Paterno wore through the end of his career. Among Caldwell’s favorite photos are a candid shot (below) taken by longtime beat writer Mark Brennan ’83 Lib before a game at Syracuse in 2008, and the all-smiles snapshot below, captured at the team’s 1986 senior banquet shortly before the Lions left for the Fiesta Bowl.

Big Shoes to Fill

Working with Division I football players meant Caldwell was regularly outfitting some of the biggest guys on campus. But—at least measured by shoe size—none were bigger than offensive lineman Levi Brown ’05, ’06, ’16 MPS Lib, whose size 18 cleats remain the largest of any player during Caldwell’s time as manager. “It’s a monster,” Caldwell says.

That Championship Feeling

Caldwell was an integral part of the Nittany Lion program for some of its greatest moments, and the 1986 and ’94 teams in particular occupy a special place in his heart. Of the ’86 national champs—whose poster hangs behind his desk—he says, “Obviously I’m biased, but that team’s probably the most special. It was really something to be a part of.” Above, his ring commemorating the undefeated ’94 Big Ten championship team that many felt deserved the No. 1 ranking. (Note the Nike hat hanging on the frame, top.) Below, commemorative watches from the 1974 Orange Bowl, 1972 Cotton Bowl, and 1983 Sugar Bowl—all memorable Penn State victories—bequeathed to Caldwell by Fran Fisher, the longtime Nittany Lion play-by-play announcer, who died in 2015.

Calling the Shots

The wristbands worn by quarterbacks Kerry Collins ’94 Lib in the ’95 Rose Bowl (above) and Daryll Clark ’08, ’09 Com in the 2010 Capital One Bowl (below) speak to how much more complex football has become—and also to just how unstoppable that ’94 team was. Caldwell recalls hearing an opposing coach that season say, “We knew exactly what you guys were going to run. We just couldn’t stop it.”

Quality May Vary

Before industry giants such as Nike and adidas signed exclusive deals with programs such as Penn State, less-established companies would try to get that business. Prior to the ’86 Orange Bowl, a brand called Speed Line provided the Lions with two sets of free jerseys. Caldwell recalls, “They were terrible.” This jersey (below) was worn by running back D.J. Dozier ’01 H&HD, who had to change into his backup jersey at halftime because the first one was torn nearly to shreds.

Heads of State

Caldwell has kept two helmets in his office, one worn by Paul Posluszny ’06 Bus (below), the other by LaVar Arrington ’00 H&HD. What do they have in common, other than being worn by two all-time legends of Linebacker U? “They both had really odd-shaped heads,” Caldwell says with a laugh. “Both of their helmets are extremely doctored up inside. I did crazy things to those helmets to try to make them fit.”

Sew Important

She’s not as well known to fans as her husband, but Karen Kessler Caldwell ’90 Edu played a vital role for the Nittany Lions during Spider’s time on staff. For years, Karen served as the team’s unofficial seamstress, a role that took on new prominence in 2012, when player names were added to the jerseys for the first time. Spider has kept this photo of his wife on his desk.

O-B’s Impact 

Though they worked together for only two seasons, Caldwell has fond memories of Bill O’Brien and keeps a small selection of the coach’s gear—including the New England Patriots sweats he would sometimes wear in the Lasch Building—in one corner of his office. “My big memory of Bill was the respect he had for how we did things,” Caldwell says. Below, the handwritten note and signed football O’Brien sent after he left Penn State for the NFL’s Houston Texans.