UPDATED 7:01 p.m. ET: Speaking at a pep rally ahead of Penn State’s appearance in the TicketCity Bowl Monday, athletic director David Joyner, head of the school’s search committee, denied that any deal is in place with any coach to become the full-time replacement for Joe Paterno.
“There is no deal with anybody,” Joyner said.
Multiple reports surfaced Sunday that New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is on the verge of being named the Nittany Lions’ new head coach. Interim head coach Tom Bradley dismissed the speculation during a press conference earlier today.
“As far as rumors, I don’t pay much attention to them,” Bradley said in quotes distributed by the team. “You guys haven’t hit the jackpot yet.”
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Names like Mike Munchak, Chris Petersen and Eric Mangini have littered the headlines in Penn State’s search for a new head coach, but it appears an individual with not nearly as much name recognition is close to landing the job.
According to Jonny Saraceno of USA Today, “only contract details need to be finalized” before Penn State names New England Patriots assistant Bill O’Brien as the football program’s new head coach. ESPN.com‘s Joe Schad reported Saturday that O’Brien would be a potential candidate if Munchak decided to remain with the Tennessee Titans.
Interim PSU head coach Tom Bradley and Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements were expected to get a second interview this coming week, although the fact that O’Brien is reportedly talking contract numbers with the school would make those interviews a moot point.
A graduate of Brown University like Joe Paterno, O’Brien has been with the Patriots since 2007. Prior to the five-year stint in the NFL, O’Brien spent time on college staffs at Georgia Tech (1995-2002), Maryland (2003-04) and Duke (2005-06).