Offensive coordinator hire should give Penn State reason for optimism in 2024
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On Thursday, Penn State made an excellent hire when it poached offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas as first reported by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. After turning around a previously unwatchable Jayhawks offense, expectations will be high for Kotelnicki to get the most out of a talented Nittany Lions group.
Quarterback Drew Allar has enormous potential and could benefit from Kotelnicki’s coaching just as Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels did.
This season, Allar was 214-of-350 (61.1 percent) for 2,336 yards, 23 touchdowns and one interception for Penn State (10-2, 7-2 in Big Ten). He struggled in losses to No. 2 Michigan (12-0, 9-0 in Big Ten) and No. 6 Ohio State (11-1, 8-1 in Big Ten), but it’s reasonable to expect growth from him as a junior in 2024.
The Jayhawks ranked 30th in scoring offense (33.6 points per game) during the 2023 regular season and 21st in 2022 (35.6 points per game). Injuries held Daniels to only 12 games during the past two seasons, but he was 208-of-305 (68.2 percent) for 2,719 yards, 30 total touchdowns and five interceptions with 499 rushing yards on 104 carries during that span. In July, he was named preseason offensive player of the year by the Big 12 media.
Prior to Kansas’ offensive turnaround the past two seasons, the Jayhawks ranked outside the top 100 in scoring offense for 10 consecutive seasons from 2012-21.
Meanwhile, Penn State ranked 14th nationally in scoring (37.2 points per game). However, that number was inflated with a pair of 63-point performances against FCS Delaware and UMass, which is 24-112 in 12 seasons since rejoining FBS (2012-23).
2024 is a pivotal year for head coach James Franklin. Penn State has struggled against Michigan and Ohio State since he took over in 2014, and the Big Ten adds Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington.
Penn State avoids Michigan next regular season but has a road game at USC and home games in consecutive weeks against Ohio State and Washington in November.
It’s about to get harder to win in the Big Ten, but adding Kotelnicki should give Penn State hope it can swim with the big fish.
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