New coordinators already earning high marks from Penn State football stars

With Peach Bowl practice and preparation underway, the Penn State football team is starting to bond. During this time players and coaches not only get to get better on the field, but they also discover new relationships during bowl prep. This is the time of year to get out of your comfort zone and speak to new teammates or staff members. For Tyler Warren and Kevin Winston Jr., that’s exactly what they have done. Specifically with new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and newly hired defensive coordinator Tom Allen.

Tyler Warren on his relationship with Andy Kotelnicki

During Peach Bowl media availability, Penn State football tight end Tyler Warren discussed some recent decisions. The most important one was his choice to return to the Nittany Lions for the 2024 season. But on top of general bowl preparation, there are two additional coaching staff members in Atlanta for Penn State.

On the offensive side of the ball, it’s newly hired OC Andy Kotelnicki who will not coach in the Peach Bowl. But he is using this time to understand Penn State’s culture and to know the players.

When asked about Kotelnicki, Warren said, “Obviously, it’s just, like you said, getting to know him. It’s not really football stuff yet. I think he’s fit well with the guys. We’re starting to get to know him more and more because it’s probably his third week he’s been around. Really to talk to him from a non-football standpoint, just to get that comfortability and get to more familiar with him, so when it is time to do football stuff, we’ll be working well together. So it’s been good.”

Tom Allen “brings the energy’ according to KJ Winston

It’s going to take Penn State fans a few weeks to adjust to seeing Tom Allen in the Blue and White. We’ve all known him for so long to be a Nittany Lion foe, but now he will coach the defense. Safety Kevin Winston Jr. was available to the Peach Bowl media and spoke highly of getting to know Tom Allen.

Winston Jr. said, “He’s a great guy. I’ve talked to Tom Allen a number of times. He brings the energy. When we see him interacting and things like that, he brings the energy. That’s what you’ve got to have on defense, that energy and that juice. Seeing that he has that to him, I’m looking forward to getting to know him more and seeing what else he brings to the table. What I’ve seen lately, I’m very excited to see, being able to be coached by him next year.”

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