Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki has lived up to the hype so far, and Illinois has noticed.
Succeeding Mike Yurcich, who Penn State fired last November, Penn State fans had high hopes that for former Penn State OC would be just what the doctor ordered.
So far, he has been, and never was that more evident than this past Saturday.
Although it was against lowly Kent State, Penn State broke a school record that had stood for 98 years in the 56-0 win. Not only is Penn State putting up yards and points, it’s doing so in style. That means tight ends throwing touchdown passes, linemen shifting like crazy, etc.
Penn State fans aren’t the only ones who have been impressed, as the Illinois DC has taken notice.
The defensive coordinator who Kotelnicki will be going against Saturday is quite high on Kotelnicki.
“Andy Kotelnicki is going to be a head coach one day,” Illinois DC Aaron Henry told reporters Monday. “You can see why.”
Why?
“He stresses defenses,” Henry said. “Andy has literally made me change how I view defensive play because of how he does things (at Kansas last year). They brought him on at Penn State for a reason.
#illini DC Aaron Henry: ANdy Kotelnicki is going to be a head coach one day and you can see why. He stresses defenses. Andy has literally made me change how I view defensive play because of how he does things (at Kansas last year). They brought him on at Penn State for a reason.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) September 23, 2024
Last season, Kotelnicki’s offense scored 34 points against Henry and Illinois, putting up 539 yards. If that happens to Illinois again Saturday, the team will be in trouble, and Henry knows it.
Also last season, Henry gave a big-time compliment to a member of the Penn State offense.
In a pre-Penn State presser Monday, Henry described Allar in a way reminiscent of how Muhammad Ali used to describe himself.
“He has a beautiful arm,” Henry said. “He’s long. He’s pretty and athletic and moves extremely well in the pocket.”
