We first heard reports of this move on Friday, but Charles London has now officially accepted the position of running backs coach at Penn State, becoming the third coach officially on staff. London will head for State College on Tuesday, will have hopefully passed his NCAA recruiting test by then, and can get started on the Class of 2012.
London comes to Penn State as a 36 year old coach who has been through both the college and pro ranks, including a stint at Duke where he coached under Bill O'Brien as the running backs coach. His position with the Titans was as an offensive assistant and quality control coach, typically a coach on the sideline tasked with keeping all the players aware of what's going on, making sure the positional groups are ready and know their assignments, as well as game preparation each week.
Coach London is from the Georgia area, played college ball at Duke (including time on the Duke track team as a sprinter), and will hopefully bring some southern connections to Penn State.
Bill O'Brien's staff now has a running backs coach and a defensive line coach in Larry Johnson (though we still don't know if that is all Johnson will handle in 2012). Look for that number to increase rapidly, as ESPN's two-headed Big Ten blogger BennettRittenberg is reporting that O'Brien plans to have seven coaches in place by Wednesday, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ron Musselman is hearing that another familiar name could possibly be retained.
0 recs | 98 comments
If Vandy
and LJ both stay on, I will drive to State College to personally hug O’Brien, LJ, and Vandy.
jman07 - January 8, 2012
Like grown men do
psuphysicist - January 8, 2012
I'm really, really curious
How much of LJ and Vandy being retained is on O’Brien and how much is on Joyner.
If it’s on O’Brien, then I’m starting to really like him. If it’s actually Joyner forcing BOB’s hand then.. have we underestimated Joyner?That can’t be, so I’m going to assume this is all BOB.
ppfcpp - January 8, 2012
If O'Brien is as smart as everyone says...
Then I’d say keeping Vandy is his idea. No need to fix what isn’t broken and I’m sure Bowman, Lee, Poz and Connor will give ringing endorsements for Vandy.
Artiefufkin10 - January 8, 2012 via mobile
What's not to like if you're O'Brien?
Both are proven coaches and recruiters who helped develop a boatload of top-shelf talent playing on Sundays right now. On top of all that, keeping both of these guys probably helps to salvage this year’s class.
PSU_Buch - January 8, 2012
The admins obviously wanted to clean house
If anything, I think they’d resist the idea of keeping anyone on. I’m guessing BOB deserves credit for this.
newenglandnittanylion - January 8, 2012 via mobile
this
I’m fairly sure Joyner didn’t care one way or the other, but if he had to pick he’d say clean house.
Cari Greene - January 8, 2012
Your wish is granted...
…and so is mine. Ben Jones just tweeted that Vandy is staying put.
sReck3 - January 8, 2012
Galen Hall
Thank you for all your efforts and contributions to Penn State football!
OlderBudweiser - January 8, 2012
Welcome Coach London
I don’t know much about London or his track record, but I’m said to see Galen hall go because it seems like he got the most out of what he had at RB. I guess he was a good coach, if not a great recruiter.
Artiefufkin10 - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Galen had people skills!!
He didn’t recruit and Jay seemed to be running the offense. Whatever he did, I don’t know if he was a good use of the limited number of coach slots.
reedjohnmiller - January 8, 2012 via mobile
lol
tlrpsu - January 8, 2012
If nothing else...
I like the name. Coach London.
The Booster - January 8, 2012
I see Paris, I see France, I see London's underpants?
jman07 - January 8, 2012
Well one thing is for sure.
Urbs won’t be able to use the age issue to recruit against us.
06Lion - January 8, 2012
I'm not gay or anything, but London is one handsome devil
Mr. Rosewater - January 8, 2012
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
reedjohnmiller - January 8, 2012 via mobile
we understand
psualum9931 - January 8, 2012 via iPhone app
Anyone know how London recruited?
I like the idea of having some connections down south, but did he do well at GT?
Nittany_Ryan - January 8, 2012
So I googled Charles London
Image search was not what I expected
GUCCI MANE - January 8, 2012
DNGW
for “do not google at work”
Artiefufkin10 - January 8, 2012
No idea, but coaching Matt Forte and Chris Johnson should carry some weight
Also, the guys who are supposedly coming here…. they’re really good
ICEICETHATGUY13 - January 8, 2012
When you say "the guys" coming here
do you mean assistant coaches or recruits?
On a somewhat related note, it would be tremendous if all the sudden goodwill momentum of this hire helps draw interest from a top RB recruit. As the depth chart post from yesterday demonstrated, we need to think about restocking there ASAP.
PSU_Buch - January 8, 2012
Assistant coaches
ICEICETHATGUY13 - January 8, 2012
Which ones?
I don’t know much about any of them. Who do you like and could you explain why?
ppfcpp - January 8, 2012
All of them
We’re looking at guys who’ve had previous success and are mostly young
ICEICETHATGUY13 - January 8, 2012
You don't know Chris Johnson or Matt Forte??
Seriously or did I misunderstand?
jdgordo1 - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Nope, never met either of them.
No, I was referring to this:
I don’t really know much about any of the guys who are rumored. Although, everything I have heard about Key sounds really good.
ppfcpp - January 8, 2012
Brent Key, the UCF O-line coach,
he REALLY seems like he knows what he’s doing. Produced a ton of All-CUSA talent and a third-round draft pick, and was the coach when Kevin Smith was running around like a wild man.
Also that Whipple guy, though he’s bounced around a bit lately, seems like he also knows what he’s doing. Had a lot of success putting together some very good offenses at smaller colleges and was around Pittsburgh for Big Ben’s development.
psuwxman - January 8, 2012
Can we keep Whipple away
from the Charmin?
PSU_Lions_84 - January 8, 2012
Wow
Just wow, that is a real old school reference.
AriesGD - January 8, 2012
YOU understood it --
how old are you again? LOL!!
I’m 53 . . . .
PSU_Lions_84 - January 8, 2012
Not that old actually
29, but I remember those commercials.
AriesGD - January 8, 2012
That's fairly young, Aries.
Glad you caught the linkage!
PSU_Lions_84 - January 8, 2012
.
letsgopsu - January 8, 2012
Word to the wise.
When Googling Charles London for information, make sure you are very careful, as I found out. There is a, shall we say, voluptuous African-American woman by the name of London Charles that will pop up in your search.
Jeff Junstrom - January 8, 2012
may help with the recruiting
WorldBFat - January 8, 2012
baby got back
Mr. Rosewater - January 8, 2012
Ill say.
tlrpsu - January 8, 2012
What Jeff is trying to say is that there's a hot naked lady
and that you should look it up when you get home
ICEICETHATGUY13 - January 8, 2012
Googles Charles London
…
Goddamn that is a big ass!
Nittany_Ryan - January 8, 2012
So your saying turn off the "safe search"?
OK
Artiefufkin10 - January 8, 2012
thanks, I of course, had to google that. thanks.
BMAN13 - January 8, 2012
In addition to Vandy
I would like to see O’Brien retain Buggs because I think he is good recruiter. He’s been in charge of New England area and I believe he has been responsible for Redd, Fortt, Cam Williams and Armani Reeves.
JRM397 - January 8, 2012
You're thinking of Bill Kenney.
Jeff Junstrom - January 8, 2012
You might be right about Williams and Reeves
but I’m pretty sure Buggs got Redd and Fortt
JRM397 - January 8, 2012
Buggs got Redd and Fortt?!?!?!
Where are those Starrshipp Trroopperrss when you need them?
PSU_Lions_84 - January 8, 2012
Buggs only recruited guys with unnecessary double consonants in their names
BMAN13 - January 8, 2012
Ddanngg
Lleavvess mme outt.
PSU_Lions_84 - January 8, 2012
Kermit Buggs is a more interesting name.
reedjohnmiller - January 8, 2012 via mobile
yeah its Teabow magic time
TROLLOLOLOLOLOL
psualum9931 - January 8, 2012 via iPhone app
Great to hear that Vandy is coming back
LBU will continue.
Also the reactions from the players after the meeting, is gettingme more and more excited.
AriesGD - January 8, 2012
Any specific reactions you're referring to?
Or just a generally positive vibe?
Nittany_Ryan - January 8, 2012
Reading updates from Ben Jones
Matt McGloin: “I got chills, I’m excited”
Stankiewitch echoing players feeling of excitement to work with an NFL coach.
Silas Redd says he doesn’t need surgery for his knee. "Nothing a little ice can’t fix
AriesGD - January 8, 2012
Any chance of getting BSD profiles of all the new coaches?
Something similar to the much appreciated profiles during the search? I’m sure it be some work, but we’ll have all summer!
Nittany_Ryan - January 8, 2012
That would be very helpful...hint hint.
AriesGD - January 8, 2012
Yup, they'll be around.
Right now we’re just trying to stay on top of the breaking news. Once the full staff is in place, we’ll dig into each coach a little deeper.
Jeff Junstrom - January 8, 2012
Vandy!
Ben Jones reporting Vanderlinden will stay on staff!
sReck3 - January 8, 2012
Awesome news
Now hopefully he can fill the offensive slots with some quality guys and this staff might end up being fairly solid.
The only guy that really concerns me is the DC from Oklahoma State. I want nothing to do with a defense that ranked 107 in yards allowed.
ppfcpp - January 8, 2012
Musselman says he confirms that
Apparently Mauti revealed that.
reedjohnmiller - January 8, 2012 via mobile
The Vandy thing, I mean.
reedjohnmiller - January 8, 2012 via mobile
I'm stoked
I think we can all agree that if we had been able to put together a competent all-around offense on a year-in year-out basis, that this team would be competing for/winning Big Ten titles consistently. Keeping the positions coaches for our 2 strongest positions, plus the promise of making the offense even slightly above average…yeah, I’m excited.
Nittany_Ryan - January 8, 2012
Another thought...
One of the coolest things about LJ and Vandy staying is that THEY have obviously bought into O’Brien. That is a HUGE vote of confidence for me.
Nittany_Ryan - January 8, 2012
Channeling M1EK
“They stayed on because they couldn’t get a job elsewhere. They are toxic, you are toxic, all Penn Staters are toxic — going back to 1855.”
/Illogicalrantends
PSU_Lions_84 - January 8, 2012
Be funnier
or smarter. Ideally, both.
M1EK - January 8, 2012
I actually enjoyed the comment.
Thank you, please drive through.
The Heel - January 12, 2012
LJ also said he did it for the kids
letsgopsu - January 8, 2012
WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN
PSUCharmas - January 9, 2012
Retained the Strength Coach
rpm164 - January 8, 2012
S&C coach staying
is a mixed blessing. Discuss.
PSU_Lions_84 - January 8, 2012
HIT SUX!
letsgopsu - January 8, 2012
as a fellow strength coach
you won’t hear me say anything bad about John Thomas. as a penn state fan? DO NOT WANT.
gts112 - January 8, 2012
I have heard people say it is not John, it is the program
letsgopsu - January 8, 2012
Hmmm
But I wouldn’t be surprised if the program changes.
reedjohnmiller - January 8, 2012 via mobile
If Thomas is staying the program may be tweaked, but the overall concept will stay the same.
BMAN13 - January 8, 2012
Ok
I’m not convinced he’s a problem so much as how players are used, etc.
reedjohnmiller - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Probably low on the list of priorities right now.
Chris Grovich - January 8, 2012
I could be delusional....
….but I thought many players looked stronger this year. But then again, much of the team were underclassmen last year.
Nittany Merle - January 8, 2012
Any confirmation on this WR coach from the Pats?
That would be huge. Imagine Justin Brown next year….
Nittany Merle - January 8, 2012
His wife apparently said something that he's coming to Penn State.
But nothing official yet. Chad O’Shea is the name.
Jeff Junstrom - January 8, 2012
Wonder if she is trying to influence BOB
with her saying that. Is O’Shea a good coach?
PSU_Lions_84 - January 8, 2012
Equally as important
Is she hot?
Nittany_Ryan - January 8, 2012
Oh, yeah,
forgot to ask that!
Thanks, Ryan!!
PSU_Lions_84 - January 8, 2012
Whenthe Mods are done
With the ssistants bio’s when they are all revealed…can we have updates on the new coaches wives post? With pictures?
AriesGD - January 8, 2012
How about a calendar?
“The PSU CFB Coaches’ Wives of 2013”?
PSU_Lions_84 - January 8, 2012
Let's not get ahead of ourselves
Profiles first, calendars second
Nittany_Ryan - January 8, 2012
Indeed
Need to see them before wanting a calendar of them.
If a calendar is done, can SuePa be Miss December? Love SuePa, such a classy lady.
AriesGD - January 8, 2012
Only if she is
FULLY clothed. I like her, too, but not THAT much.
PSU_Lions_84 - January 8, 2012
Yeah thats what I meant
In like a Miss’s Claus old school dress or something in that vein.
AriesGD - January 8, 2012
Holding a lasagna
Nittany Merle - January 8, 2012
Now THAT
is attractive!
PSU_Lions_84 - January 8, 2012
Not sure about O'Shea.
I’m not a Pats fan, so I can’t really say how much of Wes Welker and Co. can be attributed to O’Shea. We’re still working on getting some quality info on these guys.
Jeff Junstrom - January 8, 2012
Thanks, Junny.
You guys are doing a smashing job, btw. Thanks for somewhat relaxing the boundaries during these stressful times AND for providing such a great forum for us.
PSU_Lions_84 - January 8, 2012
Is Shawney Kersey still transferring?
again??
Nittany Merle - January 8, 2012
Saw him and Drake
Were both at the meeting.
Didn’t physically saw it, got an update on it.
AriesGD - January 8, 2012
Oh yeah, forgot about the Drake rumor
that’s a good sign….. but again, where else would they be on Jan 8th?? I think we should change Kersey’s jersey number AGAIN for hinting at leaving AGAIN
Nittany Merle - January 8, 2012
Chad O'Shea.....
…. has only been with the Pats since 2009, but it seems most of his experience is in coaching SPECIAL TEAMS in both college and the NFL. Might be useful skill!!!!
Nittany Merle - January 8, 2012
Any more player reactions?
I don’t use twitter….. yet.
Nittany Merle - January 8, 2012
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