ATLANTA (AP) — With the Nittany Lions welcoming new coordinators on both sides of the ball, No. 11 Mississippi will have to do more to prepare for Saturday’s Peach Bowl against No. 10 Penn State.
“We don’t have any idea what they’re going to do,” said Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin Tuesday before his team’s first practice in Atlanta.
Penn State führt die Nation in der Gesamtverteidigung an und rangiert auf dem dritten Platz mit einem Average von 11.42 Punkten. Dank dieser Eigenschaften wurde Manny Diaz, der defensive Coordinator, zum Headcoach von Duke berufen.
Am 19. Dezember wurde der ehemalige Indiana-Trainer Tom Allen von Penn State-Trainer James Franklin zum neuen Defensivkoordinator der Nittany Lions ernannt. Allen ist in Atlanta, aber Anthony Poindexter und Robb Smith leiten die Verteidigung für das Bowlspiel.
Meanwhile, Andy Kotelnicki has been hired as Penn State’s new offensive coordinator, but assistants Ja’Quan Seider and Ty Howle will continue to serve as co-coordinators for the bowl game. Penn State was 2-0 with Seider and Howle directing the offense after Franklin fired Mike Yurcich. With the new full-time coordinators having the opportunity to possibly provide input this week, Kiffin is leery of encountering new looks he can’t add to his game plan. “People would think, well, that’s in our favor with Manny leaving, but that presents challenges, too,” Kiffin said. “… It’s like opening the season with no preseason games or being someone’s second game. That’s actually a really big challenge.”
Penn State (10-2) scored a combined 69 points in wins over Rutgers and Michigan State to close the regular season and now have had extra practice time with the new offensive play-callers.
“It’s just more that we’re going to have to be ready for,” Kiffin said. Penn State tight end Tyler Warren said his time with Kotelnicki thus far has been limited to “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 … so when it is time to do football stuff, we’ll be working well together.” Franklin said the additions of new coordinators created “a little bit different situation” and said their presence in bowl practice will create a smooth transition for 2024.
“Obviously you’d prefer not to have to have changes be made, but if they are made, I think there’s a ton of value in doing what we’re doing,” Franklin said. “Tom’s ability to be around the staff. Andy’s ability to be around the staff. Staff meetings, game planning, watching film, watching the players, how we do things.” As a result, Franklin said the new coordinators won’t have to use spring practice “still trying to get a feel for how we practice and how we go about our business.”
