A year ago, Bill O’Brien felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was the rookie coach at Penn State, having succeeded Joe Paterno, and crippling sanctions had just been handed down by the NCAA.
“It’s certainly different,” O’Brien said Wednesday. “I mean, last year I think we arrived here the day after the penalties were announced. We’re in a better mood this year … I’m more comfortable with the players, the staff, the chemistry, all that goes into it. Does that lead to victories? Who knows.”
Penn State rallied from an 0-2 start to finish 8-4 last season. That was enough to earn O’Brien some Coach of the Year awards.
The Nittany Lions lose several key veterans, including quarterback Matt McGloin.
His likely replacement is freshman Christian Hackenberg, who will try to beat out Tyler Ferguson, who played last season at a junior college in California.
“One thing that’s really exciting about working with young quarterbacks is that you get a chance to really mold and teach that quarterback,” O’Brien said. “We’ll teach our quarterbacks how to manage a game and play smart, tough Penn State football.
“We are going to have to make a decision at some point during training camp to allow the starter to get enough reps to be ready for the (Aug. 31) Syracuse game.”
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein
