With heavy hearts we continue our look at the new era of Penn State coaches. Today, the focus is on John Strollo, new tight ends coach and recruiter to the New Jersey stars. Strollo is a career journeyman, with Penn State being his 13th stop in a 35-year career.
Playing Experience. Boston College, for one letter-winning year. Anything else is unknown. It's likely he's played catch with his father/brother/neighbor. But as of now, that remains unconfirmed.
Coaching Experience. This is where we've got some information to discuss. Strollo graduated Boston College in 1976 and immediately went to work. Initially a high school coach in New Jersey along the Jersey Shore (Strike One, John.), Strollo becamse a Graduate Assistant at Springfield College in 1980. This is where his journey begins...
Over the next 32 years, Strollo would work on 12 separate collegiate staffs, beginning with the northeast, then to Tobacco Road, and ending in the Midwest prior to accepting the Penn State job.
Springfield College, graduate assistant, 1980
Northeastern, assistant coach, 1981-82
Washburn, assistant coach, 1983
Northeastern, assistant coach, 1984-90
Massachusetts, assistant coach, 1991-95
Lafayette, assistant coach, 1996-2000
Cornell, assistant coach, 2001-03
Maine, assistant coach, 2004
Duke, assistant coach, 2005-07
Elon, assistant coach, 2008-10
Ball State, offensive line coach, 2011
With only one BCS-conference team on his resume, it's hard to look at this hire in a positive light. He'll be given the benefit of the doubt initially, but it appears that he's a rolling stone that crossed paths with the right guy six years ago.
His official Ball State videohas some fire to it, but that's about all we have of the man. Has anyone ever watched an Elon football game? Did anyone know that Elon had a football team?
Recruiting. While at Ball State, he was the recruiter for part of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, but I'm fairly certain this isn't the man to go against Urban Meyer and Brady Hoke. Originally from the New Jersey area, Strollo will likely be assigned portions of the Garden State beat. The one knock I've read from others that claim to have some knowledge of his past is that he's not a terribly effective recruiter, so putting him in an area that traditionally isn't very strong is probably a wise choice.
Cupboards. Strollo will be coaching the tight ends at Penn State, a position that is relatively stocked depending on who is on the roster and where they are practicing that day. Garry Gilliam and Kevin Hapleaare the returning upperclassmen, with Kyle Carter coming off a redshirt freshman year in 2011. Brent Wilkerson and Jesse James are incoming freshmen, but who knows if either will stick at the position.
Anything Else? Really, no. He turned 58 last Friday, his Ball State picture makes me depressed, and he has two Syracuse University graduate daughters (they better know who to root for on August 31, 2013). Finally, there's his video with GoPSUSports.com; come to see John Strollo compare Bill O'Brien to pizza, stay for the unbelievably...slow...cadence...of...Strollo's...speech.
0 recs | 46 comments
This is the hire I'm probably the least enthused about
I would have been perfectly okay with Kenney staying on as TE coach.
Also, over at 247 it looks like we’ve had a DE commit. Specifics are behind the paywall, but I figured I’d pass it along.
DrewRusse - January 23, 2012
Scratch that
Mis-read the headline…apparently the DE has set up an official visit.
DrewRusse - January 23, 2012
This was my first D.
And the only reason it’s not an F is because I refuse to consider anyone a failure until they actually fail. But this hire is about as close as it’s going to get.
dbl5030 - January 23, 2012
Exactly my feelings
Why exactly was he hired?
Nittany_Ryan - January 23, 2012
2005-2007 Duke.
rahpsu92 - January 23, 2012
Riiiight, that juggernaut
In all seriousness, I haven’t been real excited for everyone Chins has brought in, but most have at least some pedigree. This guy barely has a resume. I understand and can accept wanting to work with guys you know and trust, but this…?
Nittany_Ryan - January 23, 2012
He didn't exactly have...
a ton of time to put a staff together. I wouldn’t be surprised if he changed up the staff a little after a year or two.
Esteban d' Amur - January 23, 2012
that's my hope
There’s only so much you can do with short notice. If the D starts slipping, for example, I expect Roof to be gone real fast.
One thing Coach O’Brien brings to the table is the extensive, creative use of the tight end (unintentional double entendre). It’s up to the TE coach to make sure he’s got his guys ready to meet those needs. If we start seeing a redux of the last couple of years at that position, I hope Coach isn’t afraid to pull the plug and get somebody better in there ASAP.
NuclearLion - January 23, 2012
↑ This
psu85 - January 23, 2012
This guy's a real space cadet...
i watched his gopsusports video and the guy just kept talking about food.
Artiefufkin10 - January 23, 2012
I really hope he gets more fired up than from the interview that was posted
He talked about how excited he is but didn’t sound like it. He also did not have a lot of conviction when talking about things, such as saying that Coach O’Brien is “one good fit” for the university when asked “What makes coach O’Brien the best coach for the job?”
Will his pitch to recruits be “Penn State is possibly a good place for you to play. The food is great, though there are definitely other great schools out there.”?
Just my initial impression, though I hope he does great job.
Drea1020 - January 23, 2012
Meh
Peter Gray - January 23, 2012
What the hell...
is this from?
Artiefufkin10 - January 23, 2012
Face Off?
ChrisHarrell's_stache05 - January 23, 2012
Hilariously amazing/depressing file photo
Seriously, how does that one get shown to you by the photog and you go “oh yea, that’s the keeper?”
Top level tight ends are likely pumped about O’Brien, so hopefully this guy is a different person when on the practice field.
SkellerDweller06 - January 23, 2012
Hah! seriously
But, it seems to be a fair reflection of his personality, from what we’ve seen so far.
newenglandnittanylion - January 23, 2012 via Android app
He kind of reminds me of the tortoise
from the Bugs Bunny version of the Tortoise and the Hare.
icavalera - January 23, 2012
Can we please nickname him Eeyore?
Bob Sacamano - January 23, 2012
That's what I was thinking, as well.
Jeff Junstrom - January 23, 2012
My 2 cents is "Snax"
Or, is that just too easy?
zipsmurd - January 23, 2012
I'm in a foul mood today.
So I gave him an F.
PSUEnrg02 - January 23, 2012
I have to admit...
I had to turn off the video… it was torture to watch. No grade yet… just hoping he doesn’t turn off any 2013 TE recruits and BOB does all of the talking to them.
PSU_Ovaltine68 - January 23, 2012 via mobile
Really??
I am not too crazy about this hire I gave it D. He avgs like 2 years per job. Either he cant coach and he gets fired, he cant get along with people, or he one of those grass is always greener guys and cant stay in one spot. I dont like it!
AdamP84 - January 23, 2012
But the food!
There are many things I love about State College, but I can’t say I go there for the food. {insert Tavern rant here}
PSU Mudder - January 23, 2012
Spats
dbl5030 - January 23, 2012
What about West Halls cookies?
And nothing tastes better than a Fat Bitch after a night of dedicated imbibing.
Nittany_Ryan - January 23, 2012
Uh, warm West Halls cookies covered in Creamery Cookie Dough ice cream…
/drowns in drool
OmarLittle - January 23, 2012
The only reason why I know Elon has a football team
is because when NCAA Football finally introduced D1 AA teams into the fold, I would somehow always ending up leaving PSU to go coach the upstart Elon Phoenix. I needed a challenge because QB14 was tearing opponents to shreds with his quick defensive reads and rocket arm.
NYYCavo - January 23, 2012
I have no idea how good a tight ends coach Bill Kenney was.
This guy could be worse, the same, or an upgrade. At least we know that he is a dedicated tight ends coach and not mixed in with the o-line. I’d be amazed if that wasn’t used against us in recruiting in the past. I gave Strollo a C, just like everyone else.
Okay, I lied. I gave Hixon a B. But this is like grading an NFL team’s draft class on the day after — fun / interesting / meaningless.
CvilleLion - January 23, 2012
Kenney, at least, was a solid recruiter
I, too, did not know much about his TE coaching abilities. The TE position has not been used too much in recent years, so it is hard to gauge.
tbs5005 - January 23, 2012
Recruiting is an important point
Reeves and Williams both apparently loved him. Who knows what they would have done if Kenney had been retained, but he obviously had an impact on both of them.
Nittany_Ryan - January 23, 2012
For those who watch The Office
I vote Kevin for a nickname. The talk of food reminded me of the episode where Kevin talks about changing the placement of items in the vending machine. Robert California spends half the episode thinking Kevin speaking in metaphores and is a business mastermind. Maybe that’s how his interview with BOB went.
tbs5005 - January 23, 2012
Strollololol
I don’t want to have to use it, but it works
Artiefufkin10 - January 23, 2012 via mobile
That's all I can think of when I see his name. It was stuck in my head for two hours earlier today.
Chris Grovich - January 23, 2012
The lolololol song?
I love it.
Artiefufkin10 - January 23, 2012 via mobile
The photo sort of reminds me of
George Costanza’s younger brother. Hey, I’m all in on Coach Strollo because he’s wearing blue and white now. But he’ll have his work cut out for him from day 1. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the pro style offense BOB runs in NE is very TE heavy. Strollo needs to be on point and an effective teacher.
As for recruiting, as it goes so does our team. With that said I’ve said for the past couple of years if Mike “Fireball” McQuery or Charlie “where’s my sandwich” Weiss can land recruits then anyone can.
The Booster - January 23, 2012
I know I'm spoiled
I know I’m spoiled but the entire new coaching staff seems to never unpack their bags. We have a bunch of job hoppers who are cashing in on a nice payday. When BOB finally gets his “dream job” all of them will bail save LJ and Van. Three years from now we will be looking for a new coaching staff. Hopefully we will have a real AD by then.
bluebellgolfer - January 23, 2012
Well Yes and No
Strollo and Roof are two guys that I’m skeptical of. They haven’t stuck around anywhere for a long time, but FWIW, Roof has that MNC ring with Auburn. Strollo…well I really don’t know what to say about him now.
Butler (DBs) and Fitzgerald (S&C) are both relatively young guys who I believe both have PA roots. In his GoPSUSports interview, Butler admitted watching the ’87 Fiesta Bowl over and over again and knowing guys who want to PSU. My take is that these guys have both loved PSU at some point and they want to come home to PA.
McWhorter was with Texas for a while and had some very good years. Hixon, although he’s bounced around a lot, has a good track record producing WR talent at the next level. I’m not sure why he would leave the Bills other than that maybe he really likes the college game. London is another relatively young guy who’s just getting started.
I think there’s a good mix of experience and up and coming youth. I’m excited and hope the staff gels.
Artiefufkin10 - January 23, 2012
I've adjusted my expectations accordingly
If BOB can just get us through the next couple years still a relevant national program he will have succeeded in my opinion. 3 years from now, we will be in a better position to find “the guy.” But you’re right, we’ve been spoiled. We may have to get used to the way the new world does things (or Life After Joe [LAJ] as I’ll call it). We may average 3-6 years per coach for the next few decades.
The Booster - January 23, 2012
Or he may do really well and stay for 10 - 15
That’s the beautiful thing about not knowing.
misdreavus79 - January 23, 2012
Agree
Yes, if we get three good years while the dust settles then BOB has done a good job. His moving on to an NFL HC position works well for him and Penn State.
bluebellgolfer - January 23, 2012
DUKE
I just knew that Duke had to be on that resume.
spudoe - January 23, 2012
I don't know, how do you grade a tight ends coach?
Who can name a good TE coach? If O’Brien’s offense depends heavily on TE, and he thinks this guy can do the job…I mean, who cares?
Chris Grovich - January 23, 2012
I think this is a very important if that most people are skipping over.
The offense gets the ball in the hands of its best players. NE has two freakshow TEs (and I think a lot of people are discounting that), and so the offense was tweaked to get them the ball. It certainly shows that if we get great TEs the offense can take advantage of that, but I can’t imagine we are going to take deficient talents and try to force them into that role.
PSUinBOSSton - January 24, 2012
Anyone else?
Anyone else see this hire and IMMEDIATELY think:
STROL-OLOLOLOLOLO…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32UGD0fV45g
Tailgate Shogun - January 24, 2012
John Strollo
What a hatchet piece…
Sounds like the author Jeff Junstrom, is still sore about having to ride to the football games on the "Band Bus". As if he’s reminiscing, about the good old days of Penn State Coaching, when "Coach Jerry" would come to visit him. Lets face it folks Joe Paterno is an American icon, but the Penn State Football program is profoundly soiled. The "what ifs" or "maybes" just won’t cut it. The program needs a fresh start, one where character counts, where young men can march forth with dignity and honor.
Don’t be fooled by the gentle giant…
John Strollo is a man of "Character", one who has been offered pro coaching opportunities, but believed in his heart that he is a teaching coach, and that his coaching abilities would best be served in the college ranks.
I played football for John Strollo, ask anyone who did, if they are not a better man for it.
Andy.Pep - January 31, 2012
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