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Pats Coach to Replace Paterno at Penn State

Offensive Coordinator Bill O'Brien will still finish playoffs with Pats

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 6, 2012 8:02 AM CST

(Newser) – Penn State has at last found its replacement for Joe Paterno: New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien will take the job, sources tell Chris Mortensen of ESPN, with another league source saying O'Brien will finish out the playoffs with the Pats before starting his new gig. Penn State coaches contacted by the AP, however, said they'd received no word yet that a hire had been made.

O'Brien became the Patriots offensive coordinator just this season, but has been with the Patriots since 2007. He also has 12 years of college coaching experience, with stints at Georgia Tech and Duke, according to USA Today. If the report is accurate, it won't make everyone happy. Former Penn State linebacker and Lettermen's Club member Brandon Short says that by tapping an external candidate "what they have effectively done is turn their backs on 100 years of tradition."

Bill Belichick and Bill O'Brien talk with Tom Brady, talk and Brian Hoyer during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 11, 2011 at Gillette Stadium.
Bill Belichick and Bill O'Brien talk with Tom Brady, talk and Brian Hoyer during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 11, 2011 at Gillette Stadium.   (Getty Images)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien yells at Tom Brady after he threw an interception during a game against the Redskins, Dec. 11, 2011 in Landover, Md.
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien yells at Tom Brady after he threw an interception during a game against the Redskins, Dec. 11, 2011 in Landover, Md.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Bill O'Brien of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline in the second half against the Buffalo Bills on January 1, 2012 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Bill O'Brien of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline in the second half against the Buffalo Bills on January 1, 2012 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Spudsy
Jan 6, 2012 1:33 PM CST
Penn State's new coach is a Patophile?
Outrageous
Jan 6, 2012 12:19 PM CST
PSU might actually have a decent offense for a change?  Now watch the good defense go away, as with the Patriots.  Bye bye, Linebacker U!
gunther84
Jan 6, 2012 12:10 PM CST
He is actually replacing Bradley fools.
Sports • US

 
Penn State • NFL • New England Patriots • NCAA football • football • Joe Paterno • college football • Bill O'Brien

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