Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

For there to be a trip to the Big Ten title game, for there to be James Franklin leading the way, for there to be a competitive Penn State program at all, there needed to be Bill O’Brien.

The Nittany Lions still owe a large debt to their former coach, who took over in the middle of a horrific scandal and guided the team through NCAA sanctions that might otherwise have torn it all down.

O’Brien left after just two seasons, heading to the NFL to coach the Houston Texans just as 2013 turned to 2014.

But better believe he’s still been paying attention. Especially as Penn State edged out Ohio State and Michigan for the Big Ten East championship on Saturday after the Lions’ eighth straight win.

“Couldn’t be more proud of that program, those kids,” O’Brien said Monday at his weekly press conference in Texas. “A lot of those kids were there when we were there as a staff. I could answer this forever.”

Back in July 2012, 24 hours after the Lions were hit with massive scholarship reductions and a postseason ban, O’Brien wasn’t sure whether enough players would stick around to field a viable team.

That began to change as a group led by then-seniors Michael Mauti and Michael Zordich organized an effort to keep as many players from transferring as possible.

In the end, only a few left. And O’Brien ended up winning national coach of the year honors after the Lions went 8-4 that first season.

“In 2012 — now, I will say this — in 2012, people gave up on that program,” O’Brien said. “And you can go back and look it up. Numerous experts gave up on that program, and it’s a great testament to that school, that coaching staff — James Franklin’s staff that’s there now.

“And especially those kids. To come back from that and to be 10-2 and playing in the Big Ten championship game, when it was basically very close to death-penalty, SMU-type sanctions — that’s a testament to those kids that are there now.”

Bill O’Brien spent just two years as Penn State’s coach before leaving for the Houston Texans, but he laid the foundation for the Nittany Lions’ breakthrough 2016 season.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_AP1633274871835520161128181544881-2.jpg.optimal.jpgBill O’Brien spent just two years as Penn State’s coach before leaving for the Houston Texans, but he laid the foundation for the Nittany Lions’ breakthrough 2016 season. Eric Christian Smith | AP photo

By Derek Levarse

[email protected]

Reach Derek Levarse at 570-991-6396 or on Twitter @TLdlevarse