Anthony Poindexter goes in-depth on why he stayed at Penn State for the 2022 season
Anthony Poindexter is a College Football Hall of Fame member because of his legendary play at Virginia. It’s why the Penn State co-defensive coordinator felt compelled to gauge interest in the Cavaliers’ once-vacant top job.
At one point earlier this month, it seemed like a certainty that Poindexter would be leaving State College for Charlottesville. That all changed quickly, however, as he decided it wasn’t the time to leave James Franklin’s staff. Former Clemson coordinator Tony Elliott is now Virginia’s head coach.
Why didn’t Poindexter think now was the right time for him to become a head coach for the first time?
“Penn State is the right place for me because of the people here,” Poindexter said Friday. “Obviously, Coach James Franklin, he’s a great leader. Awesome man. Treats my family wonderfully. I love this Penn State community, this university; things come up.
“I had to explore it because it was my school I went to my, but at this time in my career, this is the right place for me to be under the leadership of Coach Franklin and I’m excited to be here.”
“I felt like I should come back to Penn State and work for coach.”
Poindexter has only been at Penn State for one season. Yet, it is obvious that he counts both it and working for Franklin as something that is special.
Retaining Poindexter was a big win for Franklin. He is a sounding board and also a sharp football mind and recruiter. Staff continuity is key, and Franklin checked that box by keeping his co-defensive coordinator in town.
“I felt that in my soul, I felt that in my heart, that it wasn’t the right time, so I came back and I’m ready to work,” Poindexter said.
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“I felt like I should come back to Penn State and work for Coach.”
Poindexter will call Penn State’s plays in the Outback Bowl before Manny Diaz takes over as the full-time defensive coordinator. There was not even a hint of disappointment in his voice over not getting that role for himself. That says a lot about both Poindexter and why Franklin values him so much as a staff member.
Penn State players see it, too.
“It was great for the program for him to come back,” safety Ji’Ayir Brown said. “He taught me a lot this season. How to play the middle of the field, how to make tackles, when my play is going to be there, when they’re not going to be there, how to fit in a defense; I learned a great amount from Coach Dex.
“He’s a Hall of Famer, he has the experience, he has a coaching knowledge that really helped me prevail this season.”
Fortunately for Penn State and its safeties, that will continue to be the case for at least one more season and maybe more. Poindexter surely wants to be a head coach one day, but the Lions will soak up his knowledge and practice his teachings for as long as they can.
“I just try to work at the place I’m working at at the moment,” Poindexter said. “I try to stay in the moment as much as I can. Like I said, Coach Franklin, awesome to work for. Penn State is an awesome university. I just love being in this moment.
“I can’t say what the future holds for me. But, just how I went through my career, I show up at a place and I put my heart and soul into that place and just try to keep my head down and try to do the best job I can.”
