Penn State QB Drew Allar excited to play under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki

Drew Allar is focused on Ole Miss. The sophomore quarterback has a chance to end his first year as Penn State’s starter on a high note in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Allar is embracing that opportunity as he prepares for the No. 11-ranked Rebels.

But Allar is also looking forward to the future under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.

Kotelnicki, who was hired Dec. 1, made a memorable first impression when he was introduced at Friday’s Peach Bowl media day in the Beaver Stadium media room. He brought energy and insight — qualities that Allar has already seen around the Lasch Building.

Kotelnicki, the former Kansas play-caller, has been busy since arriving. He’s attending practices, sitting in on meetings and chatting with players, both in individual and group settings.

Allar said he and Kotelnicki have already had their “fair share” of one-on-one conversations. And from what Allar can tell so far, Kotelnicki is “a great guy” and “a really good coach.”

“These past two weeks, he’s been able to get to know us more on a personal basis,” Allar said. “He’s done a great job so far implementing himself. Being able to watch our practice has been huge so he has an understanding of where we are as a team and as an offense, what we run similar to him, learning our terminology. Then after the bowl game, it’s what we’ll be changing, what we’ll be applying and what we’ll be focusing on going into spring ball.”

“I really like Coach K a lot,” Allar added. “I’m excited to get to work with him in the future and just learn everything that I can under him. … He’s had a lot of success over multiple different stops. In the past, his offenses have been very explosive. So I’m definitely excited.”

Allar is right about Kotelnicki’s success and explosiveness.

Kansas averaged 35.6 points per game in 2022, ranking second in the Big 12 and 21st in the FBS. This year, Kansas averaged 33.6 points per game, fourth in the conference and 30th in the FBS. The Jayhawks averaged 7 yards per play over the last two seasons; the only teams to outpace them were Oregon, LSU, USC, Georgia and Washington. Kansas also produced 85 plays of 20-plus yards last season, eighth-most in the FBS.

Kotelnicki has made waves with how he has disoriented defenses with pre-snap motions and funky formations. But at its heart — on a base level — his offenses have simply found ways to get the ball in the hands of its playmakers.

That was an issue at times for Penn State this season. The Nittany Lions struggled to generate big plays in the passing game. A lack of creative play-calling and lack of separation from the wide receivers made life difficult on Allar, especially against Ohio State and Michigan.

Allar still turned in a solid first season as Penn State’s starter. He threw for 2,336 yards, 23 touchdowns and only one interception, completing 61.1% of his passes. He showed flashes of the big-armed five-star prospect who signed in the Nittany Lions’ 2022 recruiting class.

Allar, entering his third and potentially his final season at Penn State, knows his strengths. He knows his weaknesses. And he knows what he wants to accomplish.

That’s been a focus in the early conversations Allar has had with Kotelnicki — who Allar believes is poised to bring out the best in him.

“Having those open and honest conversations with him have been really good,” Allar said. “And I think he’ll be able to help me reach those goals and help our offense take the next step.”