Debuts of 3 new coordinators to weigh heavily in Penn State's success

STATE COLLEGE — It’s a testament to Penn State’s returning players that the Nittany Lions are considered to be a strong contender for the 12-team College Football Playoff this season, the first year of expansion from the four-team field.

During the CFP’s four-team era (2014-23), making the cut proved elusive for coach James Franklin, who enters his 11th year in Happy Valley with high expectations.

Plenty of personnel-related items — who will step up on the offensive line after the loss of three starters to the NFL Draft, as well as a wide receivers room with something to prove — remain to be hashed out as Penn State begins fall camp.

But of equal importance will be the debuts and ongoing performances of Franklin’s three first-year coordinators: Andy Kotelnicki (offense), Tom Allen (defense) and Justin Lustig (special teams).

“Having the three new coordinators, feel really good with the ton of work they’ve put in in the time that they’ve been on board, with the staff and getting everybody on the same page with the players. That’s been good,” Franklin said Saturday during Penn State’s annual media day.

“A ton of carryover from things that we’ve done in the past but also a lot of new wrinkles and things like that.”

Kotelnicki called Kansas’ offense from 2021-23 and was a major architect in the Jayhawks’ turnaround from Big 12 laughingstock.

His offense in Lawrence ranked 21st in the FBS last year, racking up 446.1 yards per game, nearly 50 yards more than what Penn State (53rd) managed on average in 2023.

While question marks linger at offensive line and wide receiver, Kotelnicki inherits a strong nucleus of players, including returning quarterback Drew Allar, now a junior, as well as the tailback duo of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

Statistically speaking, Allar’s 2,631-yard, 25-touchdown campaign in 2023 was solid.

However, pedestrian efforts against Ohio State and Michigan put a damper on his season overall.

As fall camp starts and Penn State shifts from implementing Kotelnicki’s offense to executing it, Allar is high on its potential.

“I think there’s a couple of things that they’re asking me to do that maybe I’ve never typically done, with (Kotelnicki’s) background,” Allar said. “I’m excited to do it because I think it’ll just help the offense out in the long run. We’ll get the ball to our best players in space with one-on-one matchups.

“It’s going to be hard to tackle guys like Nick and Kaytron one-on-one in open field. It’s super exciting to be a part of an offense like that.”

Allen, who served as Indiana’s head coach from 2017-23, takes over one of the most dominant defenses in the nation last season.

Manny Diaz’s unit last year allowed only 247.6 yards per game, good for second in the FBS. It was the nation’s top unit against the run (75.5) and also led the country in sacks with 49 (3.77 per game).

The Nittany Lions appear to be particularly strong in the trenches, with solid depth behind standouts Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton.

“We’ve got to be consistent, and, to me, no matter who we play, no matter what week of the season it is, there has to be a standard of expectation that this is how Penn State plays defense. Period,” Allen said. “No matter the game, no matter the week of the season, no matter the circumstances.”

Lustig, the new special teams coordinator in addition to outside linebackers and nickels coach, probably has the least intensive magnifying glass on him as the Aug. 31 season opener at West Virginia approaches.

Yet, consequential position battles also are taking place on his watch, particularly at kicker, with the Nittany Lions yet to decide who will be attempting field goals after Alex Felkins’ graduation.

Chase Meyer, Sander Sahaydak and Ryan Barker are vying for the gig.

“That competition, we’re in a really good spot right now,” Lustig said. “I’m pleased with the first two days of camp. Those three guys are really competing, and Chase is right there with them. He’s found his groove. … We have a good problem right now in that room.”

Penn State’s Saturday evening practice was the first of camp in pads.

Plenty more sessions remain before the Nittany Lions visit the Mountaineers.

But even with his attention focused internally, Franklin is looking forward to the season getting underway.

“I think it’s going to be a great game and a great environment,” Franklin said. “On top of that, the way they ended their season, they ended up winning nine games, (WVU quarterback Garrett Greene) ended up playing really well and finishing the season on a real high note. So they’ve got a ton of confidence coming into this year because of it.”