Over the past few weeks, BSD has profiled all the new football coaching hires. Now it's time to wrap it all up.
We have a few holdovers from the Paterno staff, but mostly it's all new kids on the Happy Valley block. And that's a good thing, because for much of the last three years or so, enthusiasm wasn't Penn State's forte. From rumblings that only a fraction of the staff actually put in 100 percent effort on the recruiting trail, to Joe Paterno himself saying he wasn't as "into it" in 2010 as he probably should have been, things were sort of heading off a cliff. It was just taking its sweet-ass time getting to the ledge.
So in comes Bill "BOB" O'Brien and a fresh crop of nearly a dozen football minds. Some are old hats (relatively speaking, they're young guns compared to some on the previous PSU staff), while others are looking at their biggest coaching job ever. What are we seeing now? That funny word: Enthusiasm. It's frankly amazing that Penn State was able to keep much of the 2012 recruiting class in-tact, even with Larry Johnson, Sr. and Ron Vanderlinden desperately holding onto the threads. What's more exciting is that Penn State will get tens of millions of eyes on its new leader this upcoming Sunday, as O'Brien goes for the best recruiting tool around: A Super Bowl Championship Ring.
This post is mostly intended to tie up all the coaching profiles with a nice little bow, so I won't waste too much more of your time. We will absolutely have more on the coaching staff as the off-season progresses. For now, study up...
Meet The Coaches: Ted Roof, by Peter
Meet the Coaches: Charles London, by Jeff
Meet The Coaches: Stan Hixon, by Peter
Meet The Coaches: John Strollo, by Jeff
Meet The Coaches: Mac McWhorter, by Chris
Meet the Coaches: Larry Johnson, by Kyle
Meet the Coaches: John Butler, by Kyle
Meet the Coaches: Ron Vanderlinden, by Galen
Meet The Coaches: Craig Fitzgerald, by Tim
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0 recs | 64 comments
Enthusiams can't hurt.
As with players, I think it makes a difference if the coach really wants to be here too. I hope it leads to good things.
FB6244 - January 31, 2012
You Can't Teach Enthusiam
As a friend of mine used to say when discussing women…. “you can’t teach enthusiam”! Priceless. I think that applies to the football field too.
lhspsu - January 31, 2012
Sort of feels like
dad died unexpecedlyly when his car was hit by a speeding drunk driver. And 3 weeks later mom brings home some new guy and tells the kids that they are getting married. Oh, and the dad seems really cool, loves sports, tells funny jokes and drives a badass car. But it all happened so fast that it seems kind of surreal … he’s going to be my new dad?
markawiser - January 31, 2012
+1
for the rebound reference…
Batwing - January 31, 2012
Pretty apt.
Would be even more accurate if Mom was the one that cut through Dad’s brake lines.
06Lion - January 31, 2012
That's true too.
FB6244 - January 31, 2012
Holy shit
Artiefufkin10 - January 31, 2012
you win!
afields16 - February 1, 2012
but
he’s still married – so we kinda have to wait until he’s really part of the family.
oh, and although we know that he cheated in the past, and we’re super worried about Mom getting hurt again, we’re willing to ignore that, cause, well, we’re kinda desperate.
Not crazy about all of our new step-sibilings – but hey – who cares – at least Mom has someone.
"This is a week about the Patriots and really not about Penn State,"
don’t worry Billy – it’s not like it’s not like Mom’s having a baby or anything.
PSUgirl - January 31, 2012
"This is a week about the Patriots and really not about Penn State,"
I can’t really blame him for that one. It IS the superbowl. I’d even give him 24 hours to celebrate if NE wins on Sunday before focusing on PSU.
tbs5005 - January 31, 2012
let's go ahead and agree to disagree on that one.
He continues to disappoint me.
PSUgirl - January 31, 2012
I definitely see your point
And if the Pats lose, I’ll happily agree that he should have been focusing on Penn State. However, when Meyer pulls out the MNC rings, I like to picture BOB telling recruits, “Oh, I am sure that was cute, now look at my ring”.
tbs5005 - January 31, 2012
thats not a knife
THIS IS A KNIFE
swiggy04 - January 31, 2012
That's not a knife, that's a spoon.
DrewRusse - January 31, 2012
I see you've played knivesy-spoonsy before.
icavalera - January 31, 2012
cmdpsu15 - January 31, 2012
So if I understand you correctly,
What you’re saying us that if I get a new job and put in my two weeks on my current one, I no longer have a responsibility with said current job?
Should all my focus be on the new job because that’s where I will be in two weeks?
misdreavus79 - January 31, 2012
Yes, he HAS to say that.
If he says he’s distracted by PSU business, then even the PSU fans will start to question his focus and committment.
PSUinBOSSton - January 31, 2012
This
ReddWhitenBlue - January 31, 2012
it's sad that dad died, of course
but his death gets us further removed from creepy Uncle Jerry. New dad never knew uncle Jerry, and I’m happy that he’s really not part of our extended family anymore. For this reason, mom had to remarry and I’m happy she did.
spakajewia - January 31, 2012
be sure to stay clear
of Granpa George – he killed a kid.
PSUgirl - January 31, 2012
And watch out for Craig James
He killed 5 hookers.
#RIP5deadhookers
jman07 - February 1, 2012
allegedly
skarocksoi - February 1, 2012
well!!
Dad kinda died of old age….Mom is really a grandma and now the young more enthusiastic son is running the show
Allen Schiavoni - January 31, 2012
You forgot to mention...
…that the drunk driver was an ex-staff member of dad’s company.
bluebellgolfer - February 1, 2012
I dont understand....
where can I vote a b for enthusiasm?
jaytay13 - January 31, 2012
+A
Kevin Powers - January 31, 2012
Still one more to go
Who is going to get the last spot? My hope: the Fridge. Not only will have a great time in the cafeteria with Strollo, but he’s a heck of a coach and UMD had few off the field problems under him.
tbs5005 - January 31, 2012
Ugh, BOB went on WEEI today.
-1,000,000. These are the guys that after the memorial asked whether Joe or Bernie Fine were worse, and whether the church should have “allowed” Joe a catholic service and burial.
PSUinBOSSton - January 31, 2012
They are the official station for the New England Patriots
He couldn’t boycott them. Although I do wish Chicago and Boston would pipe down a little. DAMN! For crying out loud people, it’s not like you guys are the saintliest cities on Earth. Chicago and Boston have plenty of skeletons in their closet, so this is a preemptive SHUSH!!!
LionInTheWeeds - January 31, 2012
Chicago...skeletons???
That’s crazy talk. Looking at that city’s leaders, they are the epitome of ethical behavior.
tbs5005 - January 31, 2012
DEAD PEOPLE FOR KENNEDY
ckmneon - January 31, 2012
Besides, Geraldo would have unearthed those skeletons
in Al Capone’s vault.
CvilleLion - January 31, 2012
Nope,
98.5 the Sport Hub is the official station of the Pats (and Bruins). WEEI has Sox and Cs.
PSUinBOSSton - January 31, 2012
I apologize...
sincerely for my mistake. Still, I do not believe he could reasonably deny them an interview. They are one of the top stations in Boston.
LionInTheWeeds - January 31, 2012
I still maintain that the appropriate course of action
would have been to give them the finger, leg sweep them, and walk somewhere to conduct interviews that they couldn’t overhear. He’s a HC, he has to be able to figure out what’s right. Missed opportunity on his part, hopefully he keeps learning and gets better.
PSUinBOSSton - January 31, 2012
Screw WEEI.
I’d elaborate, but I don’t have to.
dbl5030 - January 31, 2012
WEEI is racist
Among other things.
reedjohnmiller - January 31, 2012 via mobile
WEEI is the fucking WORST
Peter Gray - February 1, 2012
Looks like...
people have calmed down a bit since O’Brien was first hired. I remember an overwhelming sense of negativity initially, myself excluded.
NittanyBlueHen - January 31, 2012
I still have that sense of negativity.
I’m just learning to accept it and hold off worrying until there are actual problems and not just speculative ones. There’s no point worrying about something we can’t change, and there’s also no point in worrying while we wait. Time will determine the outcome, unfortunately all we can do now is sit back and let it run its course. Regardless of my optimism or pessimism, I’ll still support him and the team 100%. I’ll continue to hope for the best, but I’ll wait to put any money on it until after I see some results.
Succss With Honor Always - January 31, 2012
Yep
He was #227 on the list of top 100 choices. He wasn’t Russ’s choice. Biggest feather when he was hired? Bitching match with Tom Brady. Will I give him a chance? Sure (as if I have a choice). I’ve settled into a comfortable “he’s a transition hire” mode — prepping myself for three years of maintaining a sane level of homeostasis while this works itself out. Would I be thrilled if BOB kicks butt and takes names? Goes undefeated, wins a conference title, contends for a MNC? Heck yeah, who wouldn’t be. And I will gladly state I was wrong. Gladly, gloriously and gallantly. Best wishes BOB, do your thing. We’ll be in NJU having a dog and a pretzel, cheering you on.
Smee - January 31, 2012
"Wasn't Russ's choice"
Where did you read that? The article I read, Russ said that BO’B was his first choice—it was the order of options after #1 where he differed with the rest of the committee.
That is, assuming you are referring to Rose.
psu87intn - January 31, 2012
How I read it
Here.
I hadn’t read any definitive quotes to the contrary. And who knows what to believe in the “news” these days…
Smee - January 31, 2012
Ahh...I read it differently
I thought he meant everyone else’s top 3 matched and his top 3 didn’t—but that didn’t necessarily mean that BO’B wasn’t on his top 3—just that Rose’s Top 3 wasn’t an exact match to the rest of the committee.
Either way, Russ has been quoted a lot in articles regarding BO’B, saying all positive things. I know it’s unlikely that he would say anything negative after the hire, but he doesn’t seem the type to throw platitudes around either.
psu87intn - February 1, 2012
I'm in the mostly positive group.
I feel pretty good about the staff. Re-upped and made my NLC contribution this week. Now going to hopefully upgrade my seats in a few months.
SarcasmJam - January 31, 2012
Enthusiasm's a good word for it
but I think energy and effort might be better. Maybe that amounts to enthusiasm. I dunno.
This is a staff of good football minds, a good mix of salty veterans, young guns, and gurus by reputation. They are ostensibly trying very hard. Even though I would have expected something in the neighborhood of 9-3 next year under Joe, I’m committed to reserving judgment on these fellows for at least the next 2 years.
ckmneon - January 31, 2012
I'm still in the cautious optimism stage
I’d like to think my new dad is going to be a good guy, but I’ve heard stories about some of his extended family members that has me worried. Trying not to hold his family against him but I will be watching him to make sure he doesn’t hurt mom.
amandakt - January 31, 2012
Me too.
It’s like New Guy is bringing along some old Duke girlfriends that aren’t very hot.
Pete the Streak - January 31, 2012
Old Duke girlfriends
do not sound hot.
jman07 - January 31, 2012
im
LoggingLion - January 31, 2012 via mobile
Im all in...A+
The mix of pro and college, youth and experience has me very optimistic. Altho, kicking people off our wagon mid season next year has the vengeful streak in me bubbling.
LoggingLion - January 31, 2012 via mobile
Just read that
BoB hired Jim Bernhardt as the Nittany Lions’ Special Assistant to the Head Coach and Director of Player Development, as per GoPSUSports.com.
Can anyone tell me what this position entails and what he will be doing with the team?
AriesGD - January 31, 2012
I think he drives BOB around in a golf cart.
Chris Grovich - January 31, 2012
He can't
That is Spider’s job.
AriesGD - January 31, 2012
Is Spider still with the team . . .
or are Johnson and Vanderlinden the only holdovers from the previous staff?
OneBlueStripe - January 31, 2012
He is
Spider is not technically on the team, since he is the equipment manager. So BoB can fire him, since he isn’t in his coaching staff.
AriesGD - February 1, 2012
Glad we didn't get Marshawn Lynch for that
thats an F grade right there.
skarocksoi - January 31, 2012
MainLion - January 31, 2012
He's not a coach, per se.
Though he also has the title Special Assistant to the Head Coach. Now, I’m not exactly sure what any of that means, but it’s likely some administrative something-or-other.
Jeff Junstrom - January 31, 2012
The Jerome to BOB's Morris Day.
WorldBFat - January 31, 2012
ooohh eeee ooooh eee ooooh!
NuclearLion - January 31, 2012
At last check, "Mostly Positive" has 666 votes.
Awesome! \m/
icavalera - February 1, 2012
My vote
was for Somewhat Positive. The Ted Roof as D-coord hiring is the only thing that has me concerned and brought down my overall grade.
catesinator - February 1, 2012
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