Veteran staffer retires from Penn State football program, per reports

A longtime member of the Penn State football staff is moving on from the program as the Nittany Lions begin spring practice this week. On Thursday morning, Blue White Illustrated’s Greg Pickel reported that associate offensive line coach Frank Leonard was no longer with the program.

Further reporting from the Daily Collegian and other revealed that Leonard had decided to retire from coaching.

There was nothing like being cursed out by Frank Leonard in the film room and then he would come kiss you on the head like an Italian uncle and let you know he loved you. Congrats on one hell of a career big guy! https://t.co/hqZ0RWPFq3

— LandonTengwall (@landon_tengwall) March 27, 2025

Leonard had been an analyst with the Nittany Lions since 2022, working with Phil Trautwein along the offensive line. As of Thursday morning, Leonard’s profile is still listed on the Penn State athletics staff directory.

A 40-year veteran of the coaching industry, Leonard had previously worked with Trautwein at Boston College. He also served on the same staff as James Franklin at Kansas State in 2007. Some of Leonard’s other stops at the college level include Richmond and Temple. He also worked with the New England Patriots and then-St. Louis Rams in the NFL.

Penn State football has seen movement among several key staff roles this offseason, including the hiring of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and running backs coach Stan Drayton. Notable changes at the analyst level include the hiring of former lettermen Greg Gattuso and Trace McSorley.

The Nittany Lions kicked off practice on Tuesday and will conclude the spring with the Blue-White Game on April 26.

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