Penn State basketball makes new strength coach hire official
The Penn State basketball program has its new strength coach. Tyler Janota, a veteran collegiate strength coach coming out of a successful four-year stint at Northern Kentucky, will fill the role for the Nittany Lions moving forward following the exit of Greg Goldin to N.C. State this offseason.
Janota is credited with helping the Norse in their performances in the Horizon League over the past four seasons. Topping out with a 22-13 record during the 2022-23 campaign that ended with an NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the league,
From his new Penn State Athletics profile:
“Janota earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Northwestern College in 2015, while receiving a master’s degree in sports administration at Belmont in 2017. He was a four-year offensive lineman at Northwestern College, playing in 38 career games and earning all-conference honors. The Red Raiders made three playoff appearances and notched 35 wins during his playing career.”
Janota also served as a strength coach at East Tennessee State for one year, at Texas for men’s basketball for three seasons prior, and at Lamar University.
What’s next for Penn State basketball
The hire of Janota is the second for Rhoades and the Nittany Lions this offseason. In the aftermath of a stretch to open the month of April in which assistant coach Jimmy Martelli joined his brother, Phil Jr., at VCU, Goldin left for N.C. State to again work with Will Wade, and Penn State director of recruiting, Brandon Rozzell, also went back to VCU in his first assistant coaching role, the program has now filled two of its three vacancies.
Before Janota’s arrival, Penn State first welcomed former star point guard and the program’s all-time leading scorer, Talor Battle, back as an assistant coach. Battle began his coaching career with one season on Jim Ferry’s staff during the COVID season of 2020-21 before moving on to spend three seasons at Northwestern with Chris Collins and the 2024-25 campaign at Ohio State.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Jaydn Ott
Top transfer RB signs with OU
- 2Hot
Potential landing spots
For Nico Iamaleava
- 3Trending
Mel Kiper
3-Round Mock Draft
- 4
Marcus Freeman
Reacts to Nico Iamaleava
- 5
Brian Kelly reflects
On Kyren Lacy
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
“We are thrilled to welcome Talor and his family back to Happy Valley,” said Rhoades via press release. “One of the all-time great Nittany Lions, Talor’s passion and appreciation for Penn State, this program and this community are unmatched. He knows the Big Ten in-and-out and his experience as both a player and coach in this conference will be highly beneficial. I have no doubt he will serve as a great leader for our players.”
Penn State has not yet filled its director of recruiting position.
Where things stand for Penn State (8 of 15 scholarships projected filled)
Guards Freddie Dilione, Dominick Stewart, Kayden Mingo
Wings Eli Rice, Mason Blackwood
Bigs Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Kachi Nzeh, Justin Hauser
Penn State scholarship breakdown by class
Fifth year (0):
Fourth year (1): Yanic Konan Niederhauser
Third year (3): Freddie Dilione, Eli Rice, Kachi Nzeh
Second year (1): Dominick Stewart
First year (3): Justin Hauser, Mason Blackwood, Kayden Mingo
