BREAKING: Penn State football officially hires Andy Kotelnicki as next offensive coordinator

Penn State football has officially hired Andy Kotelnicki as its next offensive coordinator. The announcement comes after it was reported on Thursday that Kotelnicki would be leaving the same role at Kansas to join the Nittany Lions’ staff. The move by James Franklin has already received widespread acclaim, as praise for the hire has been pouring in overnight.

Andy Kotelnicki officially announced as Penn State offensive coordinator

It took a little less than three weeks after firing offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich for James Franklin to find his replacement. Early in the week, it was reported that the Penn State football coach traveled to Lawrence to meet with Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, who has put up prolific offenses as a member of Lance Leipold’s staff.

As discussion around other candidates died down, it appeared to be a matter of if, not when, Kotelnicki would receive an offer from Franklin this week. On Thursday evening, reports emerged that Kotelnicki is “expected” to take the job as the next Penn State offensive coordinator.

However, the move wasn’t official until the Penn State Board of Trustees Subcommittee on Compensation approved the hire. That approval came in a meeting on Friday afternoon.

“We are excited to welcome Andy, his wife, Lindsey, son, Maximus, and daughter, Joy, to Penn State,” James Franklin said in a statement Friday. “Our search process for an offensive coordinator was extensive and throughout it, Andy’s name kept rising to the top of the list.”

“Not only were we impressed with Andy’s history of successful offensive production, but he has proven ability to win at all levels and play to the strength of his personnel,” he continued. “He has a track record of coming into a program and improving offenses, especially through explosive plays, third down conversions and red zone success. We are thrilled to have Andy and his family join us in Happy Valley.”

Killer hire: Praise for decision already starting to pour in

Even though the hiring of Andy Kotelnicki is only now “official,” praise for the decision by James Franklin has been coming in bunches since the first reports came out Thursday.

ESPN personalities Dan Orlovsky and Bill Connelly were among the most prominent voices praising the move, calling it “fantastic” and “a killer hire.”

The numbers behind Kotelnicki’s offenses are certainly impressive. Kansas put up over 2,500 yards rushing and 2,600 passing this fall. The Jayhawks have averaged over 30 points per game and 400 yards per game in each of the last two seasons.

Now, Kotelnicki will take over a Penn State offense that has been widely criticized this season. Perhaps the most significant area for improvement will be with Drew Allar and the passing game. The Nittany Lions were No. 42 in the nation in explosive passes over the last two seasons, whereas Kotelnicki and Kansas ranked No. 2.

As Penn State football prepares for a bowl in the coming weeks, Kotelnicki will get familiar with his new personnel and begin to address gaps in the offense. The Nittany Lions have already identified a need out wide, offering two transfer portal WRs this week.

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