Penn State Announces Andy Kotelnicki as Offensive Coordinator

Coach James Franklin says Kotelnicki, the former Kansas coordinator, "has a proven ability to win at all levels."

Penn State announced Friday that Andy Kotelnicki, who led a two-year turnaround of Kansas' offense, will be the Nittany Lions next offensive coordinator. The Board of Trustees' compensation subcommittee approved Kotelnicki's contract Friday.

Kotelnicki joins the Penn State football program after spending 11 seasons with coach Lance Leipold at three different teams. Most recently, Kotelnicki coached for three years with Leipold at Kansas, which secured its first winning season since 2008 and ranked eighth nationally in rushing (211.3 yards per game). In January, Kansas gave Kotelnicki a new five-year contract that doubled his base salary to $1 million and named him associate head coach. Penn State did not release contract terms. According to The Athletic's Audrey Snyder, Penn State signed Kotelnicki to a four-year contract worth $7.1 million. 

Kotelnicki, who has been an offensive coordinator and play-caller for 18 seasons, will bring a creative approach to Penn State's offense, which averaged 41.9 points per game in its 10 regular-season wins but 13.5 in losses to Ohio State and Michigan. Kansas ranks seventh nationally in yards per completion (14.8) and among the top 20 in third-down conversions and pass efficiency.

“I would like to thank Coach [James] Franklin and [Penn State Athletic Director] Dr. [Patrick] Kraft for this incredible opportunity to join Penn State Football,” Kotelnicki said in an athletic department statement. “It is a tremendous honor for me and my wife, Lindsey, to become part of a program with such a rich history of success and a tremendous family environment with an elite leader in Coach Franklin. I am excited to get to work with the tremendous staff and student-athletes we have at Penn State. I would also like to thank Coach Leipold, the coaching staff and the student-athletes who I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to work with at Kansas and wish them nothing but the best.”

Kotelnicki's title with Penn State is offensive coordinator. The Nittany Lions still need a quarterbacks coach to replace Mike Yurcich, who handled the role when he was offensive coordinator. Graduate assistant Danny O'Brien has been working with the quarterbacks since Yurcich's departure.

What they're saying about Andy Kotelnicki

Penn State coach James Franklin: "“We are excited to welcome Andy, his wife, Lindsey, son, Maximus, and daughter, Joy, to Penn State,” said Franklin. “Our search process for an offensive coordinator was extensive and throughout it, Andy’s name kept rising to the top of the list. Not only were we impressed with Andy’s history of successful offensive production, but he has proven ability to win at all levels and play to the strength of his personnel. In his 18 years as a play caller, he has a track record of coming into a program and improving offenses, especially through explosive plays, third down conversions and red zone success. We are thrilled to have Andy and his family join us in Happy Valley.”

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