Outgoing Penn State football staffer lands coordinator position

It’s been a busy January inside the Lasch Football Building. Penn State football has undergone a series of personnel transitions as James Franklin looks to solidify his staff for 2024. This week, an outgoing Nittany Lions off-field staffer was among the latest moving pieces, as analyst Eric Raisbeck was introduced at the University of California Davis in a coordinator role.

Former Penn State analyst Eric Raisbeck lands FCS coordinator role

On Wednesday, outgoing Penn State football analyst Eric Raisbeck was introduced as the new special teams coordinator of the UC Davis Aggies. UC Davis is Raisbeck’s first coordinator opportunity at the Division I level. Reports first surfaced that Raisbeck was leaving the Penn State football program on January 19.

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞, 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐜!

Eric Raisbeck joins @VintagePlough's coaching staff as the new Special Teams Coordinator!

🗞️https://t.co/rOaBNZHD3b#GoAgs | @ucdavisaggies pic.twitter.com/gkJPSqZTi8

— UC Davis Football (@UCDfootball) January 24, 2024

“Eric has had a tremendous impact on one of the best special teams units in the country,” UC Davis head coach Tim Plough said. “It was a priority for us to find an elite coach that could create a special environment for the Ags in that phase of the game. The expectation is for us to impact every contest in the special teams phase, and I’m thrilled to have Eric lead that for us. Not only is he a talented coach, but he’s also a great husband and father. We are excited to welcome Eric and his family to Shredville.”

Eric Raisbeck spent four seasons with James Franklin as a special teams analyst, helping to propel the Nittany Lions to one of the top units in the country. Prior to Penn State, he spent time at the NAIA, Division II, and Division III levels. His departure comes as Nittany Lions special teams coordinator Stacy Collins left to join the Boise State staff earlier this month.

New look for the Nittany Lions in 2024

At the top, the Penn State football staff will look much different this year than it did in 2023. After an offseason of very little change, James Franklin has had to replace all three coordinators for 2024.

Offensively, the Nittany Lions will look to be revitalized by Andy Kotelnicki. Kotelnicki brings a track record of success with him from Kansas. He will look to get Drew Allar and the Penn State offense back on track following a disappointing 2023.

The story is much different on the defensive side, as James Franklin tapped former Indiana head coach Tom Allen to replace Manny Diaz. Penn State touted one of the best defenses in the nation last year, but has lost a sizeable chunk of its veteran talent to the NFL Draft.

Following Stacy Collins’ exit, James Franklin hired Vanderbilt’s Justin Lustig to be the program’s new special teams coordinator. The Erie native and former Broyles Award nominee oversaw a remarkable turnaround of the Commodores’ special teams over the last three seasons.

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