Can I get a D-line coach? You betcha!
That would be a Mr. Larry Johnson, Sr., the current AND FUTURE defensive line coach for the Penn State football team. Apparently, the Patriot News broke the story, then FOS jumped on board to confirm the news.
What you just heard was a half-million Penn State fans letting out a sigh of relief...
Welcome home, LJS!
(HT: BSD)
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Still recovering from hip surgery, Joe Paterno will coach from the press box when No. 6 Penn State plays No. 5 Southern California on Thursday at the Rose Bowl.
The 82-year-old Paterno says he doesn't think he can handle four hours on his feet, and his doctor is concerned someone might bump him and set his recovery back.
Paterno had hip replacement surgery nearly six weeks ago to fix an injury that forced him to spend the last seven games of the regular season coaching from the press box.
Paterno, speaking at a news conference Wednesday, also worries that he might be a distraction on the sideline.
An early report says that Joe Paterno will sign a three-year contract to remain Penn State's football coach.
More below the fold...No. 8 Penn State hosts Indiana No. 15 Michigan State this week , as we all try to cope with the Iowa loss for the Big Ten Championship. I thought some questions were appropriate.
The usually unusual suspects:
There is No Name on My Jersey
Tangled Up in White and Blue
Y. F. Yurasko
Happy Hour Valley
Black Shoe Diaries
The Nittany Line
We Want the Lion
Zombie Nation
Nittany Whiteout
1. So, are you freaking out this week? Did you honestly think Penn State would be in this position, going into the last week of the season? How about Michigan State? ZN: I pegged Penn State to finish (See this Post) tied with Ohio State for first place. I didn't think we would beat the Buckeyes, but I felt we would finish with the same conference record. As for Michigan State, (again, See this Post)if Penn State beats them, they will finish exactly where I predicted them to, third.
2. What would you like to see more of/less of this week? ZN: I want to see more Evan Royster. A LOT MORE. He hasn't had a 100-yard outing since the win over Michigan. That's inexcusable for this coaching staff. But I guess it all starts up front, so I could direct that request to the offensive line coaches. This was probably the best blocking line since 2002, but recently have looked more like the 2003 or 2004 lines. Contrary to popular belief, Michigan State can be pushed around. Penn State should be able to do that with this line. SO DO IT!
3. What are your feelings towards Derrick Williams' career as a Nittany Lion? Has he lived up to the hype? How? If not, who's to blame? ZN: This is something else I touched on previously. I wrote an entire post prior to last season, explaining why Derrick Williams has absolutely served his purpose at Penn State. I think people get too caught up in the on-field value of a player like Williams. This leads to the fan base quickly forgetting that he was the one responsible for recruiting Justin King, and giving this program the mental spark it needed after 2004. That's right, I think all this program needed was a jolt of energy to the head. We'd been bogged down with ourselves, thinking it would never end. Then Williams, the annointed savior, arrived.
4. The national media is back-pedaling on their summertime pro-SEC propaganda, now saying that conference in overrated. What gives? Haven't we (basically, everyone outside the SEC) been saying that the whole time? How would Penn State stack up against the top few SEC teams, like Alabama, Florida and Georgia, on a neutral field?
As for on-field production. You have to remember this, Williams showed up and freaked out the opposition. Other teams knew he was good, but didn't believe Penn State would use him in the kind of role we all saw. I do think the coaching staff has screwed up a bit with him. That can be seen at the tail-end of nearly every season he's been here. Note that his production always goes up during the final few games. That indicates to me that the coaching staff has taken more than half the season to figure out the best way to use Williams on that year's squad. Bad coaching.ZN: I just had to ask this question because I hate the love-fest that goes on with the SEC. They're not that fast, they're not that good top-to-bottom, and they aren't the NFL-lite. I would definitely take Penn State over any SEC team, except for maybe Alabama and Florida. Those are the two teams Penn State could lose to. But I just don't see it happening against Georgia, LSU or, well, that's really it for good teams in the SEC this year.
Bonus/Lightening/Whatever you want to call it, Round...
Daryll Clark throws a pick?
Nope.
Royster scores? How many times?
I'll go with Three TDs.
Did you go to any games this year? How many?
Just one, dammit!
*Ed.-coming this afternoon: Guest Blogger, The Enlightened Spartan!
This is the final installment for P.S. I know U., 2008. Today I'll look at the coaching staff, which is always a touchy subject with PSU fans. So it should be fun. As usual, this won’t be full of messy stats (even though I do love them, oh so much), but it also won’t be straight opinion. This is just to get everyone in the loop when it comes to the key figures for 2008. Hope you enjoyed P.S. I know U., 2008.
Just like I did with the players, I'll rate the coaches on three levels - Great, Good, Decent. ‘Great’ indicates that the coach will go down as one of the best in PSU and CFB history. ‘Good’ is a guy who PSU cannot do without, and is someone other schools would love to hire. ‘Decent’ are very serviceable coaches who get the job done with the team, but they're not superstars by any means. And before I even get that first nasty comment about Jay Paterno, yes, I put him as decent. He's surely not the best man for the job, but he would have been pushed out if it were all that bad.
Part 5, The Coaches - Head, Defense, Offense, Strength
:: Head Coach ::
Joe Paterno [HC; 43rd Season; 500 Games, 372-125-3] – Living God. Ok, so shoot me for drinking the Paterno Kool-Aid. I really don't care how many people want him to leave, he's done more for Penn State than most want to know. And although I've had harsh words about him in the past, I don't believe he should be fired before he wants to go (I just wish he'd figure out when that will be). Bringing PSU back from the lower depths of mediocrity, look for another double-digit win this season. 2007: 9-4 (4-4), Alamo Bowl win over Texas A&M; Trails Bobby Bowden by 1 in the all-time "major college" wins record.
:: Defense :: Tom Bradley, Kermitt Buggs, Larry Johnson Sr., Ron Vanderlinden
Tom Bradley [In Charge of Defense/Cornerbacks; 30th Season, 9th as DC; 337.8 ypg/20.2 ppg] - Great. I really would be shocked if PSU didn't name Bradley the HC when Joe Paterno retires. I'm not one for nepotism (we've all seen how great that worked out with Jay), but it wouldn't seem right if Bradley didn't get the job. His defenses have nearly carried this team the past few years. And quite honestly, I'm surprised he hasn't left for a HC elsewhere. Could that be an indication that he knows something we don't? Maybe, but for now, let's hope he does as good a job this year has he's done the past 30. 2007: 17.5 ypg/93.8 rush/214.5 pass; 1 shutout (Temple 31-0).
Ron Vanderlinden [Linebackers; 8th Season] - Great. Until you read about Vanderlinden, you don't get a good understanding for how good he really is. He's coaches defensive units at Colorado (1990 Nat'l Champs), Northwestern (1996 Big Ten Champs), and was head coach at Maryland prior to PSU. He also coached up the only two two-time Bednarik winners, Paul Posluszny and Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern 1995 and '96, now head coach there). PSU can't pay this guy enough for what he's done in Happy Valley. Vanderlinden is the unsung hero of this coaching staff, and one of the most consistent position coaches in PSU history. 2007: LBs Connor and Lee named All-Big Ten; Connor named All-America, Bednarik winner, and 2nd Round NFL pick.
Larry Johnson Sr. [Defensive Line; 13th Season, 8th at DL] - Great. I challenge anyone to name a better defensive line coach in college football today. PSU has finished with the No. 7 rush defense the last two seasons, and was No. 2 overall nationally in sacks last year. He's coached up FIVE All-American defensive linemen, including four first-round draft picks, and the No. 1 overall pick in 2000 (Courtney Brown). Prior to taking over the defensive line spot, Johnson was soley in charge of the defensive ends (1996-99). He's a prime candidate to take over at DC, should Bradley get the nod at HC. Johnson also directs the punting unit, which has made enormous strides the past few seasons, including Ray Guy finalist Jeremy Kapinos, and All-Big Ten selection Jeremy Boone. 2007: 98.3 rush per game; DE Maurice Evans named All-America; P Boone named All-Big Ten.
Kermit Buggs [Safeties; 1st Season] - Decent. The loss of Brian Norwood to Baylor (hired as DC), left a gaping hole in the PSU defensive staff. Buggs had been PSU's player personnel coordinator since 2003, but not much more is known about his coaching abilities. He knows how PSU operates, and with the stable of good stafeties to work with this year, Buggs should be just fine. The true test will be if he can get Anthony Scirrotto back to his 2006 form. If he gets at least 1st Team All-Big Ten this year, we'll know Buggs is a keeper. 2007: Not on Coaching Staff.
:: Offense :: Galen Hall, Jay Paterno, Dick Anderson, Bill Kenney, Mike McQueary
Galen Hall [In Charge of Offense/Running Backs; 5th Season; 370.5 ypg/26.1 ppg] - Great. I'm not overrating him by saying he's great. The move back to a traditional offense led by QB Anthony Morelli really hampered the production under Hall, as he's more comfortable with the spread offense he ran at the tail-end of 2004 and during the championship season in '05. This year, I fully expect PSU to average more than 35 points per game with the spread offense and two mobile QBs. Hall's resume is long and distinguished, but you wouldn't know that, since PSU keeps him generally away from the press. He was OC at Oklahoma from '66-'83, and then HC at Florida from '84-'89 (40-18-1), where he won Coach of the Year in '84. As an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys, he developed Emmitt Smith into a Hall of Fame back, and since arriving at Penn State, has produced a 1000-yard back the past three seasons. He was starting QB for PSU from 1960-61. 2007: 30.3 ppg/193.8 rush/206.3 pass; 53-59 in Red Zone.
Jay Paterno [Quarterbacks; 14th Season, 9th at QB] - Decent. I'm not sure I want to delve to deeply into Jay Paterno. But for years, PSU fans have been clamoring for his removal. One NFL scout said of QB Anthony Morelli, he was "severely undercoached." That should really say it all, as Morelli just never made the progress we were all hoping for at PSU. Jay will probably have a better year this time around, as both Pat Devlin and Daryll Clark can make things happen with their feet, unlike Morelli. Jay's vision of the "Spread HD" seems to have become a punchline all spring and summer. We can only wait and see what that will be like. I'm not trying to get on his case today, but he was also recruiting coordinator from 1996-99. His later classes were the reason PSU suffered it's first two consecutive losing seasons in 2000 and 2001. Just thought I'd mention that. 2007: QB Morelli became the first PSU player to throw 2000 yards in two consecutive seasons.
Dick Anderson [Guards/Centers; 31st Season, 9th at G/C] - Great. Anderson has been around PSU since Joe Paterno, and played for Rip Engle at end (both ways). He's coached almost every offensive position at PSU, and was head coach at Rutgers, where he beat PSU in 1988. Something I didn't know until now, Anderson was the QB coach at PSU from 1993-1999. Does the name Kerry Collins ring a bell? Yeah, I'll let you think about that for a while. Anderson reminds me a lot of Ron Vanderlinden, in that he's unappreciated by most modern PSU fans. By the end of this season, however, everyone will know his name again, as it should be the best offensive line at PSU since 1994. 2007: C AQ Shipley and G Rich Ohrnberger named All-Big Ten; 193.8 rush ypg and only 20 sacks.
Bill Kenney [Tackles/Tight Ends; 21st Season] - Great. Kenney has been the OT/TE coach at PSU forever, and has produced some of the best players at those positions, including Levi Brown, Kareem McKenzie, Jeff Hartings and Kyle Brady. He was also recruiting coordinator in 1992. This will be the first time the OL comes back fully intact, and with two full seasons of experience together, Kenney's coaching abilities will shine. 2007: 193.8 rush ypg and only 20 sacks.
Mike McQueary [Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator; 5th Season] - Good. Most PSU fans only remember McQueary as the starting QB in 1997. Now, he's known for constant beratement from Joe Paterno on the sidelines. But that's not a bad thing. McQueary has grown into the position, and has emerged as one of the hardest working coaches on staff. He's developed three of the best WRs in PSU history, and two of them were barely known upon arrival at PSU. His coaching efforts with these guys should finally pay off this year, as the offense should give them more opportunities to produce like they did in 2005. McQueary is also the recruiting coordinator, one of the best moves by Paterno in recent memory. 2007: WRs Butler, Williams and Norwood each had 40+ catches totalling 1646 yds; all three are in the top-10 all-time receiving charts at PSU.
:: Strength and Conditioning ::
John Thomas [Strength and Conditioning; 17th Season] - Great. Don't blame Thomas for PSU losing games in the fourth quarter, as it was lack of depth, not conditioning, which led to a few of those losses last season. Thomas came to PSU from the US Military Academy in 1991, and has since been named National Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year (1997) and Master of Strength and Conditioning Coach (2002). Thomas' pre-bowl workouts have been key to PSU's 3-0 post season record the last three years.
P.S. I know U., 2008:
Part 1, Offense
Part 2, Offense (cont’d)
Part, 3 Defense
Part, 4 Defense/Special Teams
I generally try to feature an article each day from another site. Usually they're from Penn State or Big Ten blogs, sometimes from other sites. Please check out the author's Web site. I always supply the link in the introduction.
I'm feeling like crap today, so I may only get an AOTD up. So, here it is. It's very interesting how quickly the Temple football staff is gaining recognition for their work, and Head Coach Al Golden is rewarding them accordingly. 
Even more interesting is the fact that most of them are Penn State graduates. This begs the question, "Is this the future of Penn State football?" We can only wait and see.
Three assistant football coaches receive promotions after DeLeone resignsMore below the fold...
By Tyson McCloud
Longtime Penn State football coach Joe Paterno recalled Mark D'Onofrio as a strong leader when the former Nittany Lions linebacker played for him from 1988-1991. He also remembered that D'Onofrio, Temple's defensive coordinator last season, wasn't the easiest player to handle.
"D'Onofrio used to drive me nuts because of his temper," Paterno said after the Nittany Lions defeated Temple in November. "I was kidding him before the game . . . I said, 'Mark, you're the only guy I threw out [of practice] before stretch.'"
The 39-year-old North Bergen, N.J. native has come a long way since then.On Friday, D'Onofrio was promoted to assistant head coach, while retaining his role of defensive coordinator and gaining additional administrative duties.
Two days later, quarterbacks coach Matt Rhule and Andrew Dees, the tight ends and offensive guards coach, also received promotions. Rhule, who will continue operating as quarterbacks coach, was named offensive coordinator, replacing George DeLeone, who resigned after two seasons as the Owls' offensive architect to become tight end coach for the NFL's Miami Dolphins. Dees will be in charge of the offensive line after serving as tight ends and offensive guards coach the past two seasons.
Under D'Onofrio, the Owls led the Mid-American Conference in five defensive statistical categories in the team's inaugural season in the MAC.
"What Mark has done with our defense between years one and two is truly exceptional; considering that we did not have any seniors on the depth chart," coach Al Golden said in a statement. Golden and D'Onofrio were teammates at Penn State and coached together at Virginia.
"Coach D'Onofrio is a brilliant coach, a tremendous motivator of young men, and widely considered amongst the best recruiters in the business," Golden said.
Rhule, who played at Penn State from 1994-1997, has a "tremendous overall conceptual knowledge of football," DeLeone said.
"He can continue and exceed the foundation that has been laid in the prior two years on the offensive side of the ball," DeLeone added.
Dees, 38, a three-year starter at Syracuse from 1988-1991, also received praise from the former offensive coordinator.
"Without question, he is the right choice to move Temple's offensive line to championship level play," DeLeone said.
Tyson McCloud can be reached at tyson@temple.edu.
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