Penn State football elevates key staffer to position coach role

A key Penn State football staffer is getting a change in title just weeks ahead of spring practice. First reported by On3, graduate assistant Danny O’Brien is being elevated to the position of quarterbacks coach. The decision from James Franklin makes official what has been O’Brien’s unofficial role since Mike Yurcich was fired in November, and solidifies the plan outlined by new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki for Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions quarterbacks earlier this offseason.

Penn State names Danny O’Brien as quarterbacks coach

On Wednesday, Greg Pickel of On3 reported that graduate assistant Danny O’Brien had been elevated to the position of quarterbacks coach. The title change is now reflected on O’Brien’s social media profiles, as well as the Penn State football staff directory. O’Brien joined the Nittany Lions staff as an offensive analyst in 2021, moving to a graduate assistant role last year.

O’Brien has worked closely with the quarterbacks during his time in Happy Valley. He served as the de facto quarterbacks coach for the final two regular season games and the Peach Bowl after James Franklin fired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich in November.

Danny O’Brien has a longstanding relationship with James Franklin, having played for the Penn State football coach when he was offensive coordinator at Maryland. The ACC Rookie of the Year in 2010, O’Brien transferred to Wisconsin and later Catawba College before a short playing career in the Canadian Football League. He spent one season as an assistant coach for the BC Lions in the CFL before coming to Penn State.

Andy Kotelnicki outlines plan for Nittany Lions quarterback room

While Danny O’Brien only officially saw his title changed to quarterbacks coach this week, his involvement within the room hasn’t been a secret. During his introductory press conference in December, new Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki outlined a plan for the quarterback room that featured O’Brien.

“There’s going to be three of us that are working quarterbacks: Myself, Coach Franklin, and Danny O’Brien,” Kotelnicki stated. “And I know Danny, who I’ve interacted with, has been there for the last couple of weeks and does a fantastic job. You have a chance for a guy who’s played professional football, the quarterback position, to interact with the quarterbacks. I think that’s a huge deal.”

It’s unlikely O’Brien’s role will change much from what was already in place for the end of last season. O’Brien spent 2023 on the sidelines with Drew Allar and the Penn State quarterbacks with Yurcich’s transition to the coaches’ booth. He also is still technically listed as a graduate assistant for the 2024 season.

Danny O’Brien has long been viewed as a fast riser on the Penn State football staff. The Nittany Lions have thrown for at least 2,700 yards and 25 touchdowns in each of the last three seasons.

“He’s been a huge part of my development,” Drew Allar said of his new quarterbacks coach in September. “Just because with his new role [as a graduate assistant], he’s able to be more hands-on with us, as opposed to last year where he wasn’t really able to coach us just because of all the technicalities with the rules. I think he just sees it from both perspectives, both as a coach and as a player.”

We will see the new pieces of the Penn State offense for the first time during the Blue-White Game on April 13.

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