For Penn State's Offense, a Significant Change of View
Penn State's offense has made a significant change this offseason, one head coach James Franklin said "I'm most excited about" entering 2023. And it's not the new quarterback. It's the location from which offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich will direct that quarterback.
After calling plays from the sideline the past two seasons, Yurcich will return to the coaches' booth, where he spent much of his career as a coordinator. Yurcich will make his Beaver Stadium press-box debut Saturday night, when the Lions host West Virginia. Yurcich approached Franklin this offseason about returning upstairs to call plays. Franklin, a former offensive coordinator himself, loved the idea.
"It’s probably one of the things I’m most excited about," Franklin said at his first weekly press conference of the season. "As an offensive coordinator, there's no better place to call the game than in the booth."
In his first two seasons at Penn State, Yurcich, who also coaches quarterbacks, guided the offense while connecting in-person with Sean Clifford and the quarterbacks. Yurcich said being on the sideline offered clear communications paths with Clifford and a chance to "rally the troops." And in 2021, Clifford said he appreciated having Yurcich on the sideline.
With a first-year starting quarterback, whom Franklin has yet to name publicly, Yurcich could have remained on the sideline to continue that role. But Yurcich ultimately is a booth coach, like Franklin. And a promotion on the offensive staff helped smooth the transition. This summer, Franklin moved Danny O'Brien from offensive analyst to graduate assistant coach. O'Brien, who played quarterback at Maryland when Franklin was the offensive coordinator, has been on Penn State's staff for several years. As a graduate assistant, he can work with quarterbacks directly and assume an on-field role on gamedays. With O'Brien as a sideline presence, Yurcich felt more comfortable working upstairs.
"Danny's been a big part of that," Franklin said. "Danny now spending over a year with Mike and knowing how Mike wants to do things, playing for me, coaching for me, there's a lot of alignment there. And he has built a ton of respect with our quarterbacks. So I think that's played a big part in [the decision]."
Tight ends coach Ty Howle will join Yurcich in the booth, while offensive assistants Ja'Juan Seider (running backs), Phil Trautwein (offensive line) and Marques Hagans (receivers) will coach from the sideline. Franklin said the combination allows Yurcich to trust his sideline voices while having the proper view to call plays.
"[The booth is] a controlled environment, you've got your notes out, you can see it all, you’re not relying on somebody else to echo information to you that maybe you can’t see across the field," Franklin said. "... You're able to rely on your vision and your information. There’s still going to be people up there helping him, but I also think it’s Mike’s respect for our staff and our assistant coaches that there’s strong voices, including Danny, on the sideline to manage that.
"... I was on board because, as an offensive playcaller, I don't even think it's close," Franklin added. "I think it’s the best place to call the game from."
Penn State hosts West Virginia at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Beaver Stadium. NBC will televise.
Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, pictured during the Blue-White Game, will call plays from the coaches' booth this season.
Matthew O'Haren/USA Today Sports
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