This Penn State GA has helped Drew Allar & Beau Pribula develop

It’s very common in college football for young coaches to start out as graduate assistants. It’s an opportunity to get their foot in the door and establish their career. For the Penn State football team, offensive GA Danny O’Brien has been a significant addition to the coaching staff. During their media availability this week, both Drew Allar and Beau Pribula mentioned how O’Brien has helped them grow this season.

This Penn State GA has helped Drew Allar & Beau Pribula develop

Danny O’Brien has been with the Penn State football team since the 2021-2022 season. Where he was in the role of an Offensive Analyst. Then, ahead of the 2023 season, he moved into the Offensive Graduate Assistant role, where he works with the quarterbacks. O’Brien played in the CFL from 2014-2019 before entering his coaching career.

On Tuesday, Penn State football quarterbacks Drew Allar and Beau Pribula spoke to the media. Both players gave O’Brien credit for their success early this season.

Allar stated, “Yeah, he’s been a huge part of my development. Just because with his new role 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. …And I mean I think he just sees it from both perspectives. Both as a coach and as a player. Obviously, he started under Coach Franklin when they were at Maryland together and they had a couple of good years at Maryland. And then, he played in the CFL for seven, eight years. …He’s helped me out a ton with just you know making things simplified, identifying defenses, and just really peeling it back to the next level. And making sure that I have a reason for doing everything. ”

It’s a little easier for the players to relate to the younger assistant in O’Brien.

O’Brien has helped Mike Yurcich transition to the booth

Ahead of the 2023 season, it was announced that offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich will call plays from the booth this season. I asked Beau Pribula how that adjustment has gone and Pribula credited Danny O’Brien as someone who has aided that transition.

Pribula said, “Yeah I think coach Yurcich told me and Drew that he was going to be in the box this year. And you know, whatever coach Yurcich is comfortable doing, that’s what I’m comfortable with and that’s what Drew is comfortable with. You know, we have Danny O’Brien on the sideline now … for sideline communication and it’s nothing too different. You know, we get on the headset with coach Yurcich after every drive. So, whatever coach Yurcich is most comfortable with we are too. And Danny O’Brien has been a big help on the sideline too.”

Sounds like the relationship the players have built with O’Brien has been super helpful this season. Could this be a potential diamond in the rough coach that will rise through the rankings over the next few years?

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. Also, be sure to check out our new site shop. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!