Penn State football icon Trace McSorley hired as assistant QBs coach

No. 9 is officially back in Happy Valley. On Tuesday night, Penn State football welcomed home one of its favorite sons, adding former quarterback Trace McSorley to the Nittany Lions staff.

News of McSorley’s potential return first broke on Saturday evening when athletic director Pat Kraft commented that McSorley was joining the Penn State staff while speaking at THON’s annual pep rally.

Earlier on Tuesday, McSorley’s name appeared in the university staff directory as an offensive analyst. The program later announced his official title as assistant quarterbacks coach. McSorley will work under Danny O’Brien to mentor the Nittany Lions quarterbacks.

Home run hire! Welcome home, 9⃣.#WeAre x @McSorley_IX pic.twitter.com/3Q1TKkmrvF

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) February 25, 2025

One of the most beloved players in recent Penn State football history, McSorley grew his larger-than-life persona in Happy Valley after leading the Nittany Lions to the Big Ten Championship in 2016 as a first-year starter.

McSorley is currently second all-time in program history with 9,899 passing yards and 77 touchdowns. He also added 1,697 rushing yards and 30 scores on the ground.

Since walking off the Beaver Stadium turf for the final time, McSorley has played for six NFL teams in as many years. His most recent regular season action came in 2022 with the Arizona Cardinals. He was signed and subsequently released by the Washington Commanders last August.

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