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Hey, lovely female Penn State student, nice grip strength. Ever think about trying out for quarterback?
Over the next two weeks, we'll be taking a look at the new Penn State coaching staff. With the exception of two familiar faces, Ron Vanderlinden and Larry Johnson Sr., we have much to learn about our new football overlords. We start, naturally, with the Notorious B.O.B.: head coach / offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien.
Experience. O'Brien comes to Penn State from the New England Patriots, last seen here grounding the Denver Broncos into a fine dust. He's been the Pats' offensive coordinator for just the 2011 season. Prior to that, he was their quarterbacks coach in 2009-2010, wide receivers coach in 2008, and a general offensive assistant in 2007. In any business, that's a meteoric rise through the organization.
All of his experience prior to New England has been in the college game. Following his career as a defensive end and linebacker at Brown, O'Brien immediately became a tight ends coach at his alma mater in 1993, then a linebackers coach in 1994. It would be his last time coaching on the defensive side of the football. He latched on with George O'Leary at Georgia Tech in 1995 as a graduate assistant for three seasons before becoming the Yellow Jackets' running backs coach for three more seasons. O'Brien became quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the 2001-2002 seasons. George O'Leary had left Tech to become Notre Dame's head coach after the 2001 season and O'Brien was set to join him in South Bend, but that...well, didn't happen. O'Brien stayed on with new Tech head coach Chan Gailey for one more year as offensive coordinator, but left Georgia Tech to join his former colleague Ralph Friedgen's staff at Maryland.
At Maryland, O'Brien coached the running backs for two years before becoming Duke's offensive coordinator under Ted Roof for the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
How have his offenses fared? Well...
Safe to say, this year's New England offense has done quite well. They were 2nd in the league in yards while being incredibly (and surprisingly) balanced. New England was 3rd in passing yards and 4th in rushing yards, without a true star running back. Their top three receivers are Wes Welker and two (really good) tight ends. Yes, having Tom Brady kind of helps matters.
As the offensive coordinator at Duke...O'Brien was the offensive coordinator at Duke. If someone named Coach Jabroni failed as the offensive coordinator at Indiana, would you automatically assume he's a terrible coach? Amazingly, Duke statistics for 2005 and 2006 are online (Penn State SID, you can learn something here). These teams went a combined 1-21, but here's your silver lining. From 2005 to 2006, the following offensive categories were improved: first downs (154 to 195), passing yards (1331 to 2222), yards per play (3.8 to 4.4), yards per passing attempt (4.7 to 6.2). This, despite Duke losing its starting quarterback one month before fall practices began.
This sounds like shining a turd. Oh, yes, very much so. It's Duke. They were LOLful. However, O'Brien's offenses at Georgia Tech fared well enough -- and it says something about George O'Leary's faith in O'Brien that he was an offensive coordinator for a major college program in his (very) early 30s. In 2001, they threw for almost 280 ypg without much in the way of support from the running game. The 2001 team started the season #10 in the nation but lost an overtime game to Clemson (47-44), starting a bit of a downward spiral with close losses to Maryland (20-17) and Virginia (39-38). They finished 8-5 (4-4), but rebounded to beat #11 Stanford in the Seattle Bowl. During the 2001 season, new Penn State quarterbacks coach George Godsey set school records for passing yards in a season (3,085) and a game (486 vs. Virginia).
Georgia Tech's 2000 offense? Pretty good. 33.8 points per game, 8.0 yards per passing attempt (roughly in the top 1/4 of this year's FBS stats), 12.9 yards per completion. Godsey threw for 2906 yards (63% comp, 23 TD, 6 INT). Seven receivers had 20 or more receptions.
Okay, Help Me Put This In Historical Context. Great. Done. Did you know that when Bill O'Brien became head coach at Penn State, a gallon of milk cost $3.98? The average price of a house was $242,300! It cost 44 cents to mail a letter! Ah, happier days.
Prognosis, Doctor? Profound growing pains, mostly due to personnel. There's no obvious, sure-fire quarterback on the roster. Tom Brady, Aaron Hernandez, Wes Welker, and Rob Gronkowski ain't walking through that door in 2012. The Penn State players will be learning new plays, new terminology, and have an entirely different set of expectations laid before them. Also worth mentioning, Penn State is losing four of five offensive linemen from a unit that wasn't particularly great (John Urschel and Mike Farrell saw some playing time, but that's about it in terms of reserves). Don't be surprised if this is a bit of a mess in the short term, and expectations should be set accordingly. Given the situation at quarterback and offensive line, not to mention significant depth issues at tight end and running back, O'Brien will need to work a little magic if Penn State is to be an average offense next season.
1 recs | 147 comments
I've said since his hire to give him a chance.
And I want to clarify it.
Obviously ‘give him a chance" is almost always associated with “should he have a rough time at first”. And I certainly agree that should he struggle at first there’s a good chance it’s not due to him, but more to personnel, inexperience, changes, etc. So yeah, don’t get too excited or overreact should their be some growing pains (especially this year given the personnel & experience situation)…give him at least 3 years.
But to me it also works the other way. Should he have great success at first, again I would say don’t get too excited and overreact. Give him time to settle in and let’s see what the long term picture portends to be with O’Brien.
J Breezy - January 17, 2012
Yea
we all saw the last NE offensive coordinator have wonderful success early and get signed to a massive contract extension. We know how that turned out.
jman07 - January 17, 2012
Good point.
J Breezy - January 17, 2012
I'm not much of a fan of making comparisons to other people's success
when judging the next person that comes along. There are just too many variables that determine success, not the least of which is the coaches own personality… which I can’t imagine is THAT influenced by a few years at the Pats (his meteoric rise through that organization showing either a good deal of luck or something that got that coaching staff real excited… or probably both).
And the one silver lining about the way Joe was fired is that the current coach is not stepping into a completely terrible situation with personnel (especially on defense) and into a team that doesn’t know how to at least win some games. That is usually the case when a new coach is hired thanks to the last one being fired. O’Brien is taking a pretty hard working team that’s won enough to still have faith in their abilities and that can hopefully get excited about having a fresh new coach.
Besides, every OC for the Pats can’t be a terrible college coach. It’s seems like their due to put out a good one.
BNittsDeMilo - January 17, 2012
I just meant that
even if BOB comes in and sets the world on fire in the first year or two, that I don’t think PSU should extend him or anything. Make sure that he can sustain the success. Like Breezy said, we should be patient, whether he is good or bad early.
jman07 - January 17, 2012
And especially since BOB has talked about wanting to be an NFL head coach
If he has early success, he may not be looking for a long term offer. I think it’s going to be in everyone’s best interests to just have a wait and see approach for the first 3 years. Not getting too high or low and just see how things work out.
GMac14 - January 17, 2012
I think jman was referring more to what ND did with Weis...
…(foolishly extending his contract after one year with Ty’s recruits) than what Weis did at NE.
J Breezy - January 17, 2012
LOLCHARLIEWEIS
letsgopsu - January 17, 2012
Maybe you haven't spent a lot of time around here
but people on BSD never “overreact.”
spakajewia - January 17, 2012
is that in the same sense that Lavar and Brandon don't overreact either?
just a thought.
smh244 - January 17, 2012
i hope I'm wrong, bit i see this hire
setting PSU football back to the stone age. Not only that, I see the team losing their identity as LBU.
Not sure why. This write-up just gives me the willies.
rodney20 - January 17, 2012 via mobile
They retained 10-year linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden.
And have a cupboard full of capable linebackers, as of now. I think we’ll be OK there.
Jeff Junstrom - January 17, 2012
Agree.
That’s one position, even for this year, that doesn’t worry me.
J Breezy - January 17, 2012
TED ROOF!
All I can say to this…… He mares what could of been a stud defensive staff with keeping vandy and LJ.
VinnyV11 - January 17, 2012
Well that's quite a bit over the top, in my opinion.
I was no fan of the decision, but the program is too strong to be set that far back.
PSUinBOSSton - January 17, 2012
I don't know.
PSU could be looking at a ND/Charlie Weis type situation.
Then again…it’s not like PSU has been that great in the past 10 years anyway. I hate the thought of BOB having so-so defenses everywhere he’s been.
rodney20 - January 17, 2012
I'm considering BOB, Charlie Weiss, and Josh McDaniel
to be statistically independent events. Despite the similarity of prior employment, one does not necessarily equal the other.
PSU Mudder - January 17, 2012
I'm not talking about BOB,
I’m talking about the program. Set back to the stone age? I think the program is too strong for even a four year failure of coaching to permanently harm. If this is a failure, and we hire another failure, then maybe we can start to worry about permanent setbacks.
PSUinBOSSton - January 17, 2012
ND was already set back before Weis got here
they hired Weis to lift them up again. We hired BOB more to keep us about the same, maybe a little bit better.
And I’ll take 3 top 10 finishes in 10 years even if you consider that not that great.
Cari Greene - January 17, 2012
Even an average..
offense would be light years ahead of where they were last year.
Esteban d' Amur - January 17, 2012
Agreed
I think it is exciting and full of possibilities
pmm156 - January 17, 2012
The two specific coaching retentions
appear to be the teams two (three if you count recruiting) biggest strengths in the past, the front seven. With a new DC aboard, that may all be for naught, but it would seem counter productive to assume wholesale changes in that area. With respect to the previous OC for the Patriots, he stepped into his job with an attitude of “I’m smarter than all of you and I’ll prove it.” BOB seems to have taken more of a listen, consider and then decide approach. It’s entirely too early to make a decision, but I’m cautiously optimistic of what we’ve seen so far.
smh244 - January 17, 2012
Majorily agree with you here and until I see us throwing the ball 3 times with 2 minutes on the clock and the lead against Michigan (run the ball you idiot!!) i’ll try to refrain from making reference to the other OC who thought his offense was paramount to everything else.
Just hope our coach realizes that college football in the big 10 is about a whole team not just offence. (reference Charlie, Rich, etc.)
VinnyV11 - January 17, 2012
FTFY
PS — Chris, “grounding the Denver Broncos into a fine dust?” No TV or XBox for Tebow? ;)
PSU_Buch - January 17, 2012
He (Weis) also had the benefit of...
…tapegate.
J Breezy - January 17, 2012
Josh McDaniels was busted for the same thing in Denver,
and Mangini in NY. Sure didn’t improve their offenses.
PSUinBOSSton - January 17, 2012
I thought Mangini busted Belichick
I had not heard that either he or McDaniels was busted for taping outside of NE. Seems like these NE guys have a longstanding tradition that they can’t abandon.
kijana's acl - January 17, 2012
McDaniels
video director taped a walkthrough. They got off easy because they convinced the NFL that McDaniels didn’t know about it, and refused to watch the tape.
Mangini is believed to be the person who reported it to the league, but that was never confirmed by anyone. Later, Mangini’s video team was kicked out of the stadium by Pats security for recording. Mangini claimed they got permission to film from the end zones and sidelines and weren’t filming the signals.
PSUinBOSSton - January 17, 2012
Again
Seems like some guys learned that it’s easier to win if you tape, and that the consequences if you’re caught aren’t that great. Not really a ringing endorsement for the Belichick way.
kijana's acl - January 17, 2012
Terrific article
about former Pats VP here. Certainly not how I want my college coach operating, but it concerns me less in the pros. Whether its this, connections to dirty doctors etc etc, everyone is looking for an edge.
PSUinBOSSton - January 17, 2012
That seems like a terrible place to work
Also, I’m not sure what a lot of that stuff accomplishes (drawing blinds, buggin offices (if true)), except create a situation where people are afraid to do their jobs or look for efficiencies. It also seems to indicate that a former NE guy is paranoid about spying … I wonder why that would be?
kijana's acl - January 17, 2012
I don't think it is entirely crazy that next year we'll have a season very similar to the one we just had.
8, maybe 9 wins if we get
luckygood a couple of times. Although our OOC schedule seems (at least at a glance) to be a bit more consistently challenging this year (there’s no ‘Bama, but there’s fewer true doormats).An offensive minded coach can probably put together some improvements in our offense pretty easily as long as he can bear in mind that he’s no longer working with professionals, but rather people he HAS to train up. If he can utilize individual players current strengths well while building up new ones, we practically have to see improvements. It may take a couple of games and the associated practices to get things running smoothly, but our production by the end of the season seems likely to be better.
On defense, I’m afraid there’s really only one way for us to realistically go. At the same time, the personnel is probably (generally) better raw talent that will be better able to adjust to the changes. We also retained some of the defensive staff, which should help. And, a (hopefully) improved offense can hide some warts for a defense.
But if Joe, Galen, and Jay were all really as bad as everyone around here seemed to think,
we should be playing for a national championship.All that said, I’m willing to give him a long leash as long as off the field issues are minimized and handled appropriately. If he turns out to be terrible after 3-4 years, we’ll find ourselves in a better position to go out and pay for whoever we want. If he turns out to be mediocre, we probably won’t notice that much of a change (frustrating PSU football at it’s finest, with just enough dashes of greatness to keep everyone from getting fired). And, if he’s great, we won’t even be having this conversation after his second year.
I agree though, I also hope that ripping off a few wins at the beginning of the season doesn’t recalibrate everyone’s expectations too high. Much like this year, next year’s schedule is heavily loaded on the back end. Making it through the first 7 or 8 games with only one loss won’t mean all that much for how we finish the season unless we are seeing improvement week-after-week (which is not something I feel like we really saw this season).
BNittsDeMilo - January 17, 2012
*But if Joe, Galen, and Jay were all really as bad as everyone around here seemed to think,
we should be playing for a national championship.BNittsDeMilo - January 17, 2012
Backloaded schedule sure brought Ty Willingham down to earth.
In his first year at ND.
J Breezy - January 17, 2012
It's possible...
that the last two games won’t matter and PSU will have the division locked up. OSU can’t play in the championship game this year, correct? And Wisky won’t be as good as last year.
Esteban d' Amur - January 17, 2012
Correct
Since OSU is banned from bowl games, they can’t even get into the B10 championship game.
GMac14 - January 17, 2012
We have huge questions at QB, OL, DL, and the secondary.
I’m all for optimism, but let’s get those settled before we start booking our flights for Indy. The OL situation terrifies me. I know the coaching should be better, but as mediocre as the line was, if none of the young guys were able to challenge for a spot last year, that’s a pretty big red flag.
DrewRusse - January 17, 2012
OL is scary, but QB is the scariest position of all.
J Breezy - January 17, 2012
Ehh, McGloin has at least shown he can be servicable when he's not trying to do too much.
But it doesn’t matter who’s under center if they don’t have time to throw/can’t establish a running game.
DrewRusse - January 17, 2012
we've recruited a lot of talent on the oline
and I’m hopeful the new oline coach can mold that into something solid. they might have some issues, but I don’t think (or I really hope) its going to be a complete dumpster fire. Assuming we really got some high level talent on the line that is.
skarocksoi - January 17, 2012 via Android app
I'm not to concerned about the DL either.
The Heel - January 18, 2012
I have no idea how things are going to work out.
I am interested to find out, but it wouldn’t surprise me either way. Unfortunately I just know something huge will be missing this year and I hope it comes back quicklly.
FB6244 - January 17, 2012
Not to threadjack or anything....
but did PSU pick up another commit last night. I thought I read somewhere that they offered a safety from Mass and he committed last night.
GMac14 - January 17, 2012
Yes according to FOS and BWI
FB6244 - January 17, 2012
Well that's a positive sign
I don’t think he was an OMG5 star recruit, but it seems like only positive things have been coming out of the recruiting news since the new staff has been hired.
And with how thin the secondary is looking for next season, nice to see the staff trying to fill in some kids and see what happens.
GMac14 - January 17, 2012
Here's the Lions 24/7 story
http://247sports.com/Article/Lucas-makes-the-call-57330
The offer list doesn’t exactly blow me away (Akron, ODU, Villanova, UMass, Temple), but that doesn’t necessarily mean a thing. Tons of talented kids slip through the cracks among the big programs every year.
PSU_Buch - January 17, 2012
Thanks for the link
And I agree his list isn’t too impressive, but again, I think this was done because the secondary is looking pretty thin and time is running out for this recruiting class. I don’t think it can be seen as a victory, but at least as getting another kid into the program and hopefully he will be able to be coached up and may turn out to be a good find.
GMac14 - January 17, 2012
Depth in the secondary is a big concern
so I agree that they needed to shore that up. I’m not going to stress over the kid’s offer list either. Although I am curious to what extent, if any, O’Brien is connected in with the HS coaching scene in the New England states. Maybe he was able to tap a network of football connections up there and got a good tip on this one.
PSU_Buch - January 17, 2012
It is positive, but...
They beat out Temple and UMass for him. So while he may turn out to be a great player, it’s really not a huge recruiting victory.
J Breezy - January 17, 2012
Great
we’re getting Temple’s leftovers.
jman07 - January 17, 2012
Well, to be fair...
There really aren’t any major recruiting battles at this time to be won. I think the biggest ones are keeping the top commits PSU already had.
J Breezy - January 17, 2012
No excuses next year, though (recruiting-wise).
I can excuse play on the field next year due to not having his recruits and system totally in place, but recruiting accountability starts with this next class.
J Breezy - January 17, 2012
Exactly
It’s 3 weeks until signing day and I’m pretty sure the majority of top prospects have their lists cut down and are ready to make a decision.
Again, I think this move is just about getting this classes numbers up and trying to help out a pretty thin secondary next year.
If this staff can keep all of the current commits and just add a few guys (even if they aren’t OMG 5 star recruits) to help out with depth, I think that has to be looked at as a victory with everything else taken into consideration.
GMac14 - January 17, 2012
Yep.
That should be the goal for this year.
J Breezy - January 17, 2012
you don't
need 5 star db’s when you face the slop the B1G offers at the QB position year in and year out.
Esteban d' Amur - January 17, 2012
But
This late in the recruiting season and I’d be pretty satisfied with any well regarded player that doesn’t cause us to go WTF? in 8 months (or 18 given a redshirt).
smh244 - January 17, 2012
I would classify leftovers
as someone they didn’t want. Temple definitely DID want him, so he’s not their leftovers. We swiped their, if not main course, at least a tasty side dish of theirs.
Cari Greene - January 17, 2012
You mean like cheese fries?
I love cheese fries.
FB6244 - January 17, 2012
I think that would be a great side dish
cheese fries it is.
btw, CC Peppers’ cheese fries? Soooo good. All full of fake-cheesy amazingness.
Cari Greene - January 17, 2012
God I hope this works out
But the fact that no other major program was considering this guy for a head coaching job has me a bit nervous.
Tailgate Shogun - January 17, 2012
for the same reason we didnt like it at first
Nittany Merle - January 17, 2012 via mobile
You and me both.
WHen his name first came out I thought, this sounds like the one from farthest out in right field, so I kinda figured it would be the correct rumour. And I wish him well, think he has done good things so far although I am not sold on the staff yet, but I just don’t know.
FB6244 - January 17, 2012
What other head coaching jobs did he apply for?
psu87intn - January 17, 2012
Jacksonville
Cari Greene - January 17, 2012
Sorry--I meant college
psu87intn - January 17, 2012
I kinda figured, I was being a jerk.
Cari Greene - January 17, 2012
He was Dave Joyner's first choice
With a straight face.
jtothep - January 17, 2012
Ha ha
FB6244 - January 17, 2012
On next season's expectations...
I’m waiting until the Spring Game to see what this team really has to offer. The big question for me is how big will the impact of Mac McWhorter be? If this offensive line can get its head on straight, I think we may have a very good shot of being competitive in our division next season. If we can get a Wisconsin-like offensive line going, there’s no telling how far this team goes. If we get what we had last season, between 6 and 8 wins is more likely. Also, I’m interested to see what Stan Hixon can do with these WRs. I feel like these coaches know going in this isn’t a total re-build here. This roster isn’t devoid of talent—a la Minnesota—it just needs a direction and a swift kick in the pants to get them going. However, I will freely admit that I may have drank a little bit of the Kool-Aid recently.
LionInTheWeeds - January 17, 2012
The B/W Game is almost here.....
but if you think or hope that they’ll have a Whisky-OL developed and an above average QB by then, well the Kool-Aid must have had a little kick in it. I like to be positive, but the OL is ALWAYS a problem…it may take years of great recruiting to get lines like Whisky, Nebraska, MSU, etc. But we can always hope and dream.
DerryPharmer - January 17, 2012
Eh, to your O-line comment.
We actually have some talented O-line recruits on our roster. Shrive, Diffenbach, Mangiro, and Smith were all solid recruits. We will see if they can be developed by the new staff. There is always variability with “star” ranking compared to production, but these guys all had the tools as recruits. It might not take several years.
Swiggs - January 17, 2012
The comparison to Wisconsin...
was to illustrate the “gold-standard” of offensive line play. If—and that’s a big if—we can get some stellar offensive line play, I think the skill positions can see big years and the team could be very formidable. In reality, I agree that this may be a three to four year task. However, as the commenter below states, the tools are certainly there. Shrive, Diffenbach, Mangiro, Smith, et al. could see vast improvement in a very short period of time due to the change in coaching alignment and philosophy. I personally believe having one coach for the entire offensive line will create consistency and cohesion—two things noticeably lacking in the old regime. So, while the Kool-Aid was decidedly alcohol-free, I am not down in the dumps on this team just yet. I will reserve judgment until the Blue-White Game. At that point, I may ask to occupy a space on the ledge right there beside you.
LionInTheWeeds - January 17, 2012
So the gold-standards is great run blocking and poor pass blocking?
PSUEnrg02 - January 17, 2012
Believe me.....
as an old OL guard of some repute, I am so happy to see “one coach” for the OL….I am in fact ecstatic about it.
DerryPharmer - January 17, 2012
likewise
hbeach08 - January 17, 2012
You know what this means?
FORMER OLINE BIG GUY CHEST BUMPS!
skarocksoi - January 17, 2012
Could you imagine...
if Penn State recruited a top notch QB(which they have before) and actually developed him into a stud? I think it might make me cry.
EREX21 - January 17, 2012
What difference does it make what they were rated out of HS?
Daryl Clark was a stud QB.
PSUEnrg02 - January 17, 2012
finally, someone else posts this before me!
LOL.
Cari Greene - January 17, 2012
It makes a difference.
It doesn’t guarantee anything, nothing does but it makes a difference.
EREX21 - January 17, 2012
Well, sure we have to "Give him a chance..."
He is hired the last time I looked…..you don’t follow a legend who was here 61 years and 46 as HC without having some difficulties regardless of how things shook out at the end…..Joe’s record after 2004—-12-1, 9-4, 9-4, 11-2, 11-2, 7-6, 9-4…will we settle for 8 wins this year? Hells No!! This QB guru should start winning B1Gs from the start—don’t you hear, he’s bringin’ Tom Brady with him. In all seriousness, GIVE HIM A CHANCE and we do know that if he is successful, he’s gone before the contract is up. It’s the way of life on FB Planet….like I said before, WE ARE just like all of the rest of the FB programs, no more 61 year plans and, this is no cut to Joe, but that could be a good thing in the modern world. In the least, it could be a good thing for us….Joe was going to retire after last year, regardless how things worked out anyways, that I knew for sure….so let’s move on Boys and Girls…GIVE HIM THE CHANCE!
DerryPharmer - January 17, 2012
Why BOB's an "A" Plus Hire
Hiring an established ‘name’; ie: Nick Saban, Les Miles, Urban Meyer, means hiring that person’s identity. We’re not the SEC, the Big 12 or even the B1G. WE ARE…PENN STATE! In BOB, we get a great coach who doesn’t detract from our identity, but one who proudly joins it. Watching teams like Stanford, Oregon. OSU and even Houston, one has to conclude that our offense is years behind! Seems to mee Bill O’Brien is the perfect hire. It’s obvious that he is proud to be coming to Penn State. I, for one, am proud to have him
wyoblue - January 17, 2012
Ditto....GIVE HIM THE CHANCE!
DerryPharmer - January 17, 2012
I'll be happy
If the offensive staff seems to show the ability to play to their personnel’s strengths. I’ve seen opposing teams with much less talent be able to do this, and ultimately we end up betating them b/c of that talent gap, but it’s frustrating to feel like your offensive staff is worse than that of Eastern Michigan.
That, and the ablity to manage timeouts.
speedomike - January 17, 2012
Yes....See Above....
DerryPharmer - January 17, 2012
Yeah. Think about how excited we were that Devon Smith actually ran a drag route in the middle of the year.
Now imagine we don’t have to beg for that to happen.
Adam Collyer - January 17, 2012
BoB isn't a big story
it gets PSU out of the news cycle for a minute.
I know I’m the only person who is concerned about the o’leary connection – but whatever, i guess it’s time we entered the real world of college football.
also, has the godsey hire been confirmed? last i had heard (albeit a few days ago) he hadn’t been offered the job
PSUgirl - January 17, 2012
According to Bob Flounders,
as of 8 hours ago the reports that he has been hired “yet” are incorrect.
PSUinBOSSton - January 17, 2012
O'Leary is a decent coach.....
just not a very good yarn spinner…..2 things—-1) you can’t fool anyone about your military involvement and 2) you can’t lie about your athletic history…..they’re too easy to research.
DerryPharmer - January 17, 2012
I'll never understand why he lied
Really, did he think that information is what was going to get him a job?
speedomike - January 17, 2012
I always guessed that the lie occurred way back when,
at a time he actually thought he needed to beef up his resume. And that over the years he kept it on there, maybe even forgot it was a lie anymore.
PSUinBOSSton - January 17, 2012
so how do you feel about
playing ineligible athletes (sorry, don’t buy the it’s the “admin’s fault” – how could we at this point?), recruiting violations and, well, being found negligent in the death of a player?
PSUgirl - January 17, 2012
I agree with you on this.
I don’t like the connection.
FB6244 - January 17, 2012
so here's why i don't like it
beyond the whole not liking it, it’s that no one has mentioned it. A week and a half ago when BoB mentioned o’leary (and Belichick) – all I wanted him to say was “i’ve worked for some great football coaches; I’ve learned from both their expertise and mistakes.” I was yelling at the TV that I didn’t even need a sentence, just a clause – and I’d be willing to move forward. But haven’t we had enough “ignoring” at Penn State? Isn’t this supposed to be our fresh start? BoB coached ineligible players (you and your players have to know if they are eligible – they know their grades and classes; you should too); he was slated to be nd OC for a guy who lied about education and athletics; 4 of his assistant coaches have worked for the same guy – and all have been there during the infractions (godsey would be the most recent with the UCF stuff); he was also on offensive staff (reportedly the guy in charge of film breakdown) during spygate.
Just say something.
PSUgirl - January 17, 2012
"BOB coached ineligible players"
So you’re sayin there’s a chance! – Paul Jones.
skarocksoi - January 17, 2012 via Android app
Remember this stuff when he's carrying our offense next year.
And being a model student.
The guy is classy, never bitches, and has never once mentioned the transfer word.
He was .2 away from being eligible for the bowl. Next year he’ll have two years under his belt, be more mature, and he’s going to surprise a lot of people around here.
The Heel - January 18, 2012
Oh I love the kid
totally wish him the best. Doesn’t mean I’m not going to bust his chops.
skarocksoi - January 18, 2012
this may be asking an awful lot...
but I’d like to think that this was addressed ad nauseum during the interview process. However, even if it was completely missed, I still think he deserves every opportunity to succeed (or fail) at maintaining the tradition of accountability that Joe and his staff instilled in the program.
smh244 - January 17, 2012
I see that.
I also see why he wouldn’t want to say anything about. I don’t know, it just doesn’t make me warm and fuzzy.
FB6244 - January 17, 2012
And
why is Hixon listed as “assistant head coach?”
PSUgirl - January 17, 2012
My only major gripe is the nickname
I don’t like BOB. I prefer Chins and that is what I will be referring to him as.
Honestly, I was not pleased with this hire but he has grown on me. For the most part I like the staff he has put together…if nothing else I think there is potential, especially on offense, for improvement. I was upset that he didn’t leave NE but I understand and respect his reasoning, and it doesn’t seem to be hurting us with recruits too much (yet…we’ll see what Williams and Reeves do). But I think this could work out well.
Nittany_Ryan - January 17, 2012
Recruiting
You know, I wonder how much of a difference it would have made in this class if he had left the Patriots. I honestly don’t think a lot, and ultimately the deeper they go (TWSS) in the playoffs, the better it is for recruiting in the long term. Next year’s class is the better measuring stick (TWSS) of this staff’s ability to recruit.
speedomike - January 17, 2012
Plus, how would it look if he left,
McDaniels came in, and then they torched defenses for 50pts/game in the playoffs? If it went down like that, it certainly could not have helped.
PSUinBOSSton - January 17, 2012
we can't focus on the chin
it will just prompt JS jokes
PSUgirl - January 17, 2012
On January 22 we'll be looking back
and going, man I remember when postage was still only $0.44.
rahpsu92 - January 17, 2012
Soon...
we will be saying: “Remember when there were Post Offices”?
Esteban d' Amur - January 17, 2012
What the hell is a post office?
mvrck - January 17, 2012
Some damn game.....
that the girls used to make us boys play…I think.
DerryPharmer - January 17, 2012
Or home delivery.
I’m waiting for that to go the way of the milkman.
CvilleLion - January 17, 2012
Home delivery is skyrocketing.
More and more people are doing their shopping online. I personally did about 90% of my christmas shopping online. It’s even becoming more normal to do your grocery shopping online and have it delivered. Burger King just started a testing phase of home delivery in the DC area.
dbl5030 - January 17, 2012
Sure, but how many shipped via USPS?
Skyrocketing for Fedex and UPS, while the postal service delivers junk mail.
CvilleLion - January 17, 2012
I wouldn't want a Burger King hamburger delivered by some mailman.
WorldBFat - January 17, 2012
Apologies
you’re absolutely correct. Thought you were talking about home delivery in general, not specific to the USPS.
dbl5030 - January 17, 2012
No worries.
I actually have a lot of sympathy for the post office. They have congress telling them to earn a profit (or at least break even) with an impossible business model.
CvilleLion - January 17, 2012
My wife isn't.
And I can’t figure out why…
Jeff Junstrom - January 17, 2012
/install video surveillance camera
CvilleLion - January 17, 2012
We had a milkman and a breadman when I was a kid in Osceola Mills. I have scars on my forehead from the milkbox, running across a wet porch and falling over the welcome mat and hitting my head. The bread man also sold tasty cakes. This is from 62-63 time frame. When we moved to Altoona in 64 we no longer had either.
BMAN13 - January 17, 2012
Hahahahaha......
I did the same stuff only much earlier in that Century.
DerryPharmer - January 17, 2012
A milkman, a breadman and a bman walk into a bar....
jtothep - January 17, 2012
I remember those silver insulated milk boxes too.
Actually, we’ve gone a bit retro now that we live in Lancaster city. Twice a week we walk down to Central Market, return our empty glass milk containers at the local dairy stand, and get new ones.
CvilleLion - January 17, 2012
Central market is awesome.
FB6244 - January 18, 2012
$242,300... man...
fuck you DC metro area
WorldBFat - January 17, 2012
You're just looking in the wrong areas
Try SE, or along the Anacostia freeway
bscaff - January 17, 2012
I've often dreamed of being a slumlord.
WorldBFat - January 17, 2012
What?
That doesn’t the “that’s racist” treatment? Kidding.
kijana's acl - January 17, 2012
Sack up and gif me!
However, if a house is really $242,300 in DC it’s gotta be scary.
WorldBFat - January 17, 2012
Oh, I know.
Homes prices were what sold me on returning to Pittsburgh. I stopped paying attention to DC real estate when I left 6-7 years ago and I’m much happier for it.
As for the gif, if you give me a tutorial on how to post one, I will participate. I’m M1EK-level retarded when it comes to that stuff.
kijana's acl - January 17, 2012
It's pretty easy...
When replying, click the little tree icon (the rightmost icon) between the title and body boxes. Enter the URL of the image in the popup box and click OK.
WorldBFat - January 17, 2012
That's not how Ira Lupert would phrase it
You’ll be a philanthropic entrepreneur, providing homes to socio-economic disadvantaged persons, while revitalizing urban communities.
bscaff - January 17, 2012
^^^So money!^^^
LOVE this comment.
jtothep - January 17, 2012
Nice distribution in the voting...
On to the hire…here’s what I like about BOB
-Young. He’s got a lot of energy and motivation so you know he’s going to go out and recruit. He already has, and apparently, offers are out to players that weren’t considered.
-Hungry. Even if he’s using this job as a resume builder for the NFL, I don’t mind so as long as he’s successful here. Its puts PSU in a good position and makes the job that much more attractive for other coaches.
-Smarts. I know there’s a lot of debate on some of his assistants (e.g. Roof), but he’s surrounding himself with a lot of college experience. One of the things holding PSU back was lack of “outside the box” thinking..and it showed in so many phases of the game. Moreover, by keeping LJ and Vandy, he’s showing that he doesn’t want to fundamentally change what PSU’s good at with regard to position players. plus those guys know how things work in the B10.
-Diversity. His background is primarily offensive, and my God. Does PSU need a refresher in that area.
/I gave BOB a “B” by the way.
Artiefufkin10 - January 17, 2012
Not nearly as pissed off at this hire as I was in my knee jerk reaction...
And boy, if we’ve learned anything these past few months it’s that we should all lay off the knee jerk reactions, amirite?
As has been noted; 2 of the 3 best coaches on the staff were retained, and the dead weight was kicked out. Even an improvement to a middle-50% offense is a substantial upgrade over the past two years. Ted Roof’s defenses are aggressive; when he has the athletes and the fundamentals down, you get Auburn 2010. When he doesn’t, you get problems. He’ll have the athletes, and Vandy/LJ will do fundamentals as well as anyone. My guess is that we see more man coverage and more blitzing; the corner position is going to be played very differently at PSU, but the d-line and lb’s should stay as strong as ever. This has potential.
Overall, he’s a B hire on paper, made a B+ by his actions immediately following his hire. He can take himself up or down from here, but he sure sounds like a head football coach, and that’s half the battle when recruiting.
SkellerDweller06 - January 17, 2012
The defense.
This is what makes me nervous for the first couple of years despite the fact that we don’t play any great quarterbacks. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a big advocate of a more aggressive defense, one that mixes up their style of play. However, I don’t think we have the talent in the secondary right now to pull off this style of defense. I hope we can pull in some elite athletes in the next couple of years to help fill in the personnel needed to run this defense.
Swiggs - January 17, 2012
Help with Historical Context
Compared to Jay/Galen: We’ve been down so long BOB looks like up to me.
I’m very happy and excited with the offensive potential.
Yes, the first season transition may be a little rough.
But Penn State fans are knowledgeable and not as impatient as everybody thinks.
They seem to forget how patiently we’ve been waiting for this offensive change for years.
BOB will certainly be given a fair chance.
Willie Green - January 17, 2012
BOB IS up from Jay/Galen. Thats a given.
The Heel - January 18, 2012
Just reading some of the players / recruits reactions
Makes me think this is a good hire. I hear about how they come away impressed and seeing that he has not lost any players yet seems like a good sign to me. I think he deserves a fair chance. I am willing to give him 3 years to see what he can do. This year might not be the year because he will not get his class of players in. I want to see what he can do next year and the following year on the recruiting side and bring in players that he needs. Should be interesting to watch and see. As long as I see no violations, good academics, and up to the JoePA standard then I will be happy.
jetskijoe - January 17, 2012
I give it a "B"
My “A” was reserved for hiring Bradley, and I know that I’ll have some responses asking “What has Bradley proved?” Honestly, nothing. He could have laid a huge egg as an HC, but the way he handled this tragedy and the way he showed many Penn Staters the way we should be acting over the last few months, I feel like he deserved a shot.
That being said, I want to give BOB a fair chance, and that doesn’t mean wins. He came in and appeared as a stand-up guy in his presser, he referenced and called Joe and didn’t just sweep it under the rug, he met the groaning from Lettermen head on, he kept LJ, Sr and Vandy, and the players seem really excited about him being the next HC.
Are a lot of the above items PR moves? Absolutely. But, considering the PSU admin couldn’t come up with positive PR for 2 months, I applaud the image he gave and some of the moves he has been making. This guy could fall on his face, he could use us a stepping stone, or he could prove to be a great hire. I give him a “B” because so far, he has made me actually forget about some of this mess and see a positive in PSU football again. But, it’s still January, let’s grade him after he gets a chance to prove himself on the recruiting trail and on the field. He keeps doing things the right way (The Penn State Way) and wins some games, I might slide this hire into that “A” category.
wek5000lion09 - January 17, 2012
Solid Hire.
Its a solid hire if he brings that QB punting play with him. Can’t wait to see McGloin punt on a third down.
MrGlantzman - January 17, 2012
Walt Harris?
Is that you?
skarocksoi - January 17, 2012
Sorry dude.
I’m not Harris.
MrGlantzman - January 17, 2012
Why bother waiting......
Just have Bolden kick on 1st downs and get it overwith.
DerryPharmer - January 17, 2012
Gave it a B
whatever that means, it feels right I guess. Not the most exciting hire in the world, but he’s definitely qualified to be a major college head coach: he’s been a BCS position coach and OC for a couple successful head coaches and an NFL position coach and OC for a very successful head coach.
So he’s qualified for the job, has worked for some great football minds (O’Leary, Friedgen, Belichick), brought in some very solid assistants, and kept two very solid assistants from the last staff. At a bare minimum, that’s solidly above average.
ckmneon - January 17, 2012
Your posts are apparently all I needed
To help organize my votes.
/also a B!
jtothep - January 17, 2012
ditto
hbeach08 - January 17, 2012
Do we throw the grade his wife gets into his average as well?
Cause if thats the case, Lane Kiffen gets a solid A-.
skarocksoi - January 17, 2012
We should be able to assign him an I.
SubLime - January 17, 2012
Bill O'Brien HAS NO GRADE POINT AVERAGE
WorldBFat - January 17, 2012
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