Rebuilding Penn State

The season started off like most expected, a dismal 0-2 record seemed to be only the start of what would be a tough road for the Nittany Lions. Yet, with their unwavering fan support, Penn State went on a tear winning five games in a row (one of which was to then #24 ranked Northwestern) and ended their 2012 campaign with a record of 8-4. The surprising success of the team garnered O’Brien the ESPN National Coach of the Year award, the Big Ten Coach of the Year and the 2012 Paul “Bear” Bryant College Coach of the Year. Not to mention the 2012 Project CFB Coach of the Year.

As we anxiously await the start of the 2013 college football season, it gives us time to reflect on the most recent 2012 NCAA Football season. One of the most surprising stories from last year had to be that of the Penn State Nittany Lions. I doubt any college football fan expected Penn State to have a winning record for the 2012 season. 2011 was one of the most tumultuous football seasons for any NCAA school in history as Penn State dealt with the fallout of a child sex abuse scandal. Not only that, legendary football coach Joe Paterno was fired in November 2011 and then passed away rather unexpectedly from cancer two months later. Then there were the NCAA sanctions of a $60 million in fines and a reduction in scholarships and a ban on post-season play which also didn’t bode well for the Lions and new head coach Bill O’Brien.

In fact, due to his outstanding rookie coaching season, O’Brien was interviewed for the head coaching position at both the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. Not a bad career move for the award winning coach. But O’Brien in the end made the decision to remain at Penn State. He felt it would be in poor taste to leave the beleaguered school after just one season claiming he wasn’t a “one-and-done guy”. That decision garnered O’Brien a raise of $1.3 million annually and made him the third highest paid head coach in the Big Ten.

It’s a new season and a fresh outlook for O’Brien and the rest of the Nittany Lions with the 2013 kickoff rapidly approaching. Of course, the path ahead will be more challenging as the full impact of the NCAA sanctions take hold in the coming years. But for current players and coaches, 2013 doesn’t hold the doubt or worry that the pre-season of 2012 did. They know what they are dealing with and if last season is any reflection, they will handle the forthcoming obstacles ahead with passion and an overwhelming desire to persevere through the battles to come.

- Amy Norris
@amyjane72
amy.projectcfb@gmail.com