Phil Trautwein has seen some of his colleagues move on in his time at Penn State, but he’s not looking to do that anytime soon.
Two years ago, defensive line coach John Scott II left for the NFL.
This past offseason, defensive coordinator Tom Allen left for Clemson, and RB coach/co-offensive coordinator Ja’Juan Seider left for Notre Dame.
Trautwein has had the chance to leave, and confirmed that with Nittany Sports Now at Local Media Day Aug. 2.
But the 39-year-old offensive line coach isn’t looking to go anywhere anytime soon.
WHAT TRAUTWEIN SAID
Trautwein is entering his sixth season at Penn State and has raised his family in State College.
“I love Penn State,” he told reporters Saturday. “My family’s here. My kids love it. My son’s about to go into eighth grade (at Mount Nittany Middle School). And then my two youngest are at Mt. Nittany Elementary. I love Penn State. There’s no better place than here. I don’t see myself leaving for another college football job, and I just love it here.”
Some might read that last line and think that Trautwein would entertain the idea of moving to the NFL.
After all, he did kick around the league for a few seasons after winning two national titles as a player at Florida.
But for now, Trautwein is focused on adding another ring as a coach.
‘I KIND OF SHUT IT DOWN’
As one could imagine, Trautwein didn’t go into much detail about the offer he had.
He did say that he didn’t think about it too long.
“I kind of shut it down right away,” he said, “and told Coach Franklin. I just… I don’t see myself leaving. Definitely not right now, not with the guys that I have. It would just be hard for me to call all these parents and tell them that I’m leaving. The relationships that I’ve built and working for Coach Franklin, it’s unbelievable. I love it here, so it has to be something better than… I don’t know if there’s anything better.
Trautwein did hint that he might not be at Penn State forever.
But that day appears far off.
“I’ve gotten calls,” he said, “so I don’t know how long. But I do love it here.”
Penn State opens the 2025 season against Nevada Aug. 30 at Beaver Stadium.
