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Penn State

Penn State football picks next Director of External Operations

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•06/06/25•

GregPickel

penn-state-football-weight-room-generic-feb-28
The weight plates inside the Nittany Lions' weigh room.

Penn State football is hiring a former member of James Franklin’s staff to be its next Director of External Operations. Tristin Iannone is returning to State College to replace Destiny Rodriguez. She left the aforementioned position earlier this month for a player personnel office role with the New York Jets. Iannone spent the last four years with Ricky Rahne’s Monarchs. He started in 2020 as an assistant director of football operations before spending time on the recruiting side of things. The Pa., native then transitioned into the role he’s held for two seasons in Norfolk, which has the same title as the one he brings to State College.

Iannone announced the new job on social media. He writes:

“I can’t thank @RickyRahne & @ODUFootball enough for the lessons & memories during my time at ODU! I’m excited to announce I’ve accepted the role as Director of External Operations for Penn State Football! I’m thankful to @coachjfranklin & @kthrelkel for this opportunity!”

What does the Director of External Operations do?

A job posting from Penn State detailed the responsibilities. They include, among other things:

–Assist the Chief of Staff and Director of Football Administration with various regular season, post season and bowl travel responsibilities and manage and execute special projects as assigned by the Chief of Staff or Head Football Coach

–Develop, lead, manage, evaluate and provide semester grades for four operations interns  

–Accompany the Head Football Coach to speaking events that can be used to recruit supporters and obtain donations

–Oversee creative process of design as it pertains to construction, environmental graphics, clothing/licensing, Journey to Success presentations and social media

–Act as the Football program’s liaison to: Strategic Communications (media requests and press release, quotes, etc); Creative Services (Football social media planning and approval); Media and Video Productions (Football video approval and ideas); Penn State Sports Properties (Football sponsorship fulfillment); Alumni Association; Marketing (Football marketing plan, gameday environment, etc)

–Plan, organize and execute the special events

Penn State offseason staff changes

While the departure of Tom Allen and hiring of Jim Knowles was the most high-profile staffing change of the 2025 Penn State offseason, it’s hardly the only one. Rodriguez left, and Iannone is now in. The program also hired two special teams analysts since spring ball ended: Allen Tucker and Matthew Colangelo.

Here’s a rundown of the rest of the changes:

Ja’Juan Seider left for Notre Dame. Penn State made Stan Drayton its new running backs coach.

Offensive line analyst Frank Leonard retired

Penn State hired Andrew Jackson and letterman Greg Gattuso as analysts focusing on the defensive line

Knowles brought with him two former colleagues, Shane Eachus and Brent Zdebski, with him in analyst roles

Special teams analyst Keith Bruno left the Lions after spring ball. Allen Tucker replaced him

Nittany Lion letterman Aeneas Hawkins is the team’s new Assistant Director of Player Advancement & Revenue Sharing Strategy.

Former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley is back as the assistant quarterbacks coach.

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