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Football coach O'Brien to stay at Penn State
Jan 04, 2013 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Penn State and Bill O'Brien's agent confirmed tonight that the Penn State head coach will keep his position the football team, nullifying the reports and rumors linking him to NFL jobs this week.
O'Brien spoke tonight to the Harrisburg Patriot News, saying "I'm not a one-and-done guy. I made a commitment to these players at Penn State and that's what I am going to do. I'm not gonna cut and run after one year. That's for sure."
O'Brien's agent, Joe Linta, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette O'Brien was "very excited for the upcoming season."
The Patriot News also reported that Penn State would increase O'Brien's yearly salary. Penn State acting athletic director Dave Joyner did not respond to interview requests.
Today, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that the Cleveland Browns interviewed O'Brien earlier this week. Multiple outlets reported the Philadelphia Eagles were interested in him.
O'Brien had been an assistant at New England from 2007 to 2011. In his first season with Penn State last fall, he led the Nittany Lions to an 8-4 record, winning the Maxwell Club's honor as coach of the year.
Throughout the season, players preached their devotion to O'Brien, saying his openness and honesty were the characteristics they valued most. O'Brien often reciprocated.
"I can't tell you how much I enjoy these players," he said in October. "I've had the most fun coaching that I've had compared to any year."
Multiple Penn State players took to Twitter late tonight, commenting on the news.
"Practice what you preach," wrote tight end Garry Gilliam. ... "love my coach."
The NFL rumors had swirled around O'Brien since November. After the Indiana game, O'Brien refused to give a yes or no answer as to his 2013 future with Penn State, stoking the fire.
It's out now. And on Monday, a handful of the 18 committed recruits for 2013 who will enroll early are scheduled to start at their first semester at Penn State, including Adam Breneman.
They'll be preparing to work out that Monday morning for the staff they envisioned, for O'Brien and his assistants.
Mark Dent: mdent@post-gazette.com, Twitter @mdent05.
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