Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is among the finalists for the West Virginia head coaching job.
Penn State and WVU sources have told Nittany Sports Now and Mike Asti of NSN’s sister outlet, WVSportsNow, that Kotelnicki is “in a final group of candidates for the WVU head coach job.”
Kotelnicki, 43, is thought by many to be a future head coach.
After turning the Kansas offense from one of the worst in the country to one of the best, he’s given Penn State’s offense something it didn’t have in recent years— excitement. Penn State is averaging 33 points per game and doing it creatively, as evidenced by this play.
Penn State TE Tyler Warren vs. USC
17 catches, 224 yards and a TD.
Checkout the insane play design on his TD catch. He actually started the play at center. pic.twitter.com/jU1E1hFktq
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) October 13, 2024
Offensive Coordinator Andy Kotelnicki during pregame warmups ahead of the Nittany Lions matchup with Bowling Green.
Kotelnicki would be familiar with the Big 12 based on his experience at Kansas, where he led the Jayhawk offense for three seasons. However, he would be a different type of choice for WVU AD Wren Baker since he does not have head coach experience.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.It’s also believed Rich Rodriguez is a candidate, but not the favorite for Baker. Rodriguez won his first FBS conference title (Conference USA) since leaving WVU in 2007 when his Jacksonville Gamecocks rans all over Western Kentucky to the tune of 52-12 on Friday night.
For a related story, Mike Asti gave his thoughts on how the WVU football job compares to the other open ones in the Power Four.
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 don’t have to find out.
Penn State takes on Oregon in the Big Ten championship game, scheduled for 8:00 on CBS this Saturday, Dec. 7 in Indianapolis.
