Ex-Penn State football OC reconnects with current, future Nittany Lion QBs at prospect camp

Those who thought Mike Yurcich would never return to Happy Valley were sorely mistaken. The ex-Penn State football offensive coordinator was spotted taking in the action at the Elite 11 regional prospect camp in State College on Sunday. In the process, Yurcich was able to reconnect with a pair of his former quarterbacks, Drew Allar and Jaxon Smolik, and observe his final recruit as a member of the Nittany Lions staff, Bekkem Kritza.

Mike Yurcich reconnects with Nittany Lions QBs at Elite 11 regional camp

Mike Yurcich holds the distinction of being the only assistant coach to be fired by James Franklin in-season. The turbulent end to Yurcich’s two-and-a-half years with the Penn State football program came the day after the Nittany Lions’ 24-15 home loss to Michigan in November. The game was the final nail in the coffin for Yurcich, whose offense struggled to score against the best defenses on the schedule all season.

Six months later, Mike Yurcich was back in the shadow of Beaver Stadium, attending the Elite 11 regional camp at State College High School. In content captured by the staff at Lions247, Yurcich was mentoring the top quarterbacks in attendance, including 2025 Penn State football commit Bekkem Kritza. A three-star from Miami Central, Bekkem Kritza silently committed to the Nittany Lions staff before the Michigan game. He announced his decision publicly the following week.

Former Penn State OC Mike Yurcich coaching up Lions QB commit Bekkem Kritza after all. He applies pressure here. pic.twitter.com/FyqXKrI5HJ

— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) May 19, 2024

Yurcich also reconnected with current Penn State quarterbacks Drew Allar and Jaxon Smolik. Of course, Yurcich’s relationship with Allar predates his hiring as the Penn State offensive coordinator in 2021. Allar threw for just under 3,000 yards with 29 touchdowns and two interceptions in two seasons under Yurcich’s tutelage.

A three-star, Jaxon Smolik was the second quarterback signed while Mike Yurcich was with the Nittany Lions. Smolik did not attempt any passes during his freshman season, and is expected to miss significant time this year with an injury.

a Penn State reunion: Drew Allar, Jaxon Smolik & Mike Yurcich pic.twitter.com/xXFQRsRCnN

— Daniel Gallen (@danieljtgallen) May 19, 2024

What will Yurcich’s legacy be with Penn State football?

It goes without saying that the Mike Yurcich-Penn State football marriage didn’t work out the way anyone had hoped. Especially with how his tenure ended, Yurcich’s offenses will likely leave a sour taste in the mouths of many Nittany Lion faithful that will be hard to ignore.

But Yurcich arguably left the Penn State quarterback room in a much better place than when he found it in 2021. He got the best out of Sean Clifford in his final season, which was probably the highlight of his time in Happy Valley. Playing a significant role in turning Drew Allar, Beau Pribula, Jaxon Smolik, Ethan Grukemeyer, and Bekkem Kritza into Nittany Lions, the unit is deeper than it has ever been in the James Franklin era.

So, for better or worse, Mike Yurcich’s time with the Nittany Lions has been etched in stone. But in many ways, his Penn State football legacy is only just beginning to be written.

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