Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is expected to interview for the WVU head coaching job.
Mike Asti of Nittany Sports Nowโs sister outlet, WVSportsNow, reported Sunday evening that Kotelnicki is indeed a candidate.
Source: Penn State OC Andy Kotelnicki expects to interview for the now open WVU head coach position.
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) December 1, 2024
This news breaks shortly after word got out that WVU wasย to fire head coach Neal Brown, who had been there for six seasons. That news later became official.
Kotelnicki, 43, is days away from coaching in the Big Ten Championship Game, which would be quite an accolade to have for his first season in Happy Valley.
Penn State is 11-1, and the offense, for the most part, has performed well, averaging 33.3 points per game. Under Kotelnickiโs watch, Penn Stateโs offense has become known for its excitement, something that the unit lacked from 2021-23 under Mike Yurcich.ย
He caught the ball 17 times.
He ran the ball.
He threw the ball.
He snapped the ball.Tyler Warren was sensational for @PennStateFball vs. USC. pic.twitter.com/5bTv4SKaUK
— CBS Sports College Football ๐ (@CBSSportsCFB) October 12, 2024
WHY WVU MAKES SENSE FOR KOTELNICKI
Offensive Coordinator Andy Kotelnicki during pregame warmups ahead of the Nittany Lions matchup with Bowling Green.
The common thought is that Kotelnicki is going to be a head coach somewhere someday. The question is, when and where? Yes, leaving Penn State after one season would be a quick turnaround. But West Virginia is a big time job. WVU is known historically for having quality offense, which makes hiring an offensive mind almost inevitable. Furthermore, Kotelnicki has experience coaching in the Big 12. In three seasons at Kansas, Kotelnicki turned one of the worst offenses in the country into one of the best, which led him to Happy Valley. Kotelnicki has also been on Oklahomaโs offensive coordinator hot board, which would seem like a lateral move. West Virginia would not be a lateral move.
THE TIMING OF IT ALL
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: Andy Kotelnicki
If Kotelnicki does end up as the head coach at West Virginia or anywhere else this winter, it will be interesting to see the effect it has on Penn State. Would Kotelnicki stick around for the College Football Playoff run? Who knows. Penn State and its fans are hoping they donโt have to find out.
Penn State takes on Oregon in the Big Ten championship game, scheduled for 8:00 on Fox this Saturday, Dec. 7 in Indianapolis.
