Penn State officials confirmed Friday night that former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien has been chosen as the football program's new head coach.
O'Brien will be introduced at an 11:30 a.m. news conference on Saturday, which will be aired on the Big Ten Network and streamed at BTN.com.
"The Penn State football program has a great legacy and has contributed enormously to our University community," said Penn State president Rodney A. Erickson in a press release. "A program of this caliber requires a special kind of leader - a leader who will embrace that legacy and maintain the University's commitment to excellence on the field and in the classroom. We have that leader in Coach O'Brien, and I look forward to working with him in his new role."
"We have found the man to take Penn State football forward," said athletic director Dave Joyner. "Needless to say, we have been looking for someone with some very special qualities, beginning with a heart that beats to the values and vision of Penn State University and our Penn State football legacy and tradition. That was our starting point, and Coach O'Brien exemplifies those traits that Penn Staters hold so highly. In addition to his model characteristics as a man and a teacher, he's all about producing winners, and doing so the right way. He will embrace tradition, demand excellence and pursue Success with Honor in every phase of our program."
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