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Report: Penn State targeting NFL assistant for open defensive line job

Mug-Shot 4x4by:Ryan Snyder•03/04/23•

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James Franklin. (Credit: Ryan Snyder/BWI)

Penn State’s coaches will enjoy a little downtime this week, as spring break began on Saturday. But once students return to campus next weekend, head coach James Franklin and his team will roll immediately into spring practice, which is set to begin in 10 days from now on March 14.

However, Franklin has one big task ahead of him before Penn State can begin practicing, and that’s filling the open assistant position following John Scott Jr.’s departure to the NFL’s Detroit Lions. According to a report, Franklin may be close to filling that position.

On Saturday morning, FootballScoop’s Zach Barnett wrote that Chicago Bears assistant coach Justin Hinds is Franklin’s top target to fill the position. 2022 was Hinds’ first season with the Bears. He spent 2021 as the defensive coordinator at Western Carolina.

Prior to that, he was the defensive line coach at Central Michigan for two seasons in 2019 and 2020. Hinds does have prior experience coaching in Pennsylvania, as he spent 2018 as the defensive line coach at Lafayette College.

A native of Port Reading, N.J., Hinds could help Penn State’s recruiting efforts in New Jersey, as he has strong ties in the North Jersey/New York City region, playing at Woodbridge High School. He then played collegiately at Rowan University from 2006 to 2008, earning All-NJAC first-team honors as a defensive lineman.

“Justin Hinds was a great player and coach for us here at Rowan University.  He has a strong work ethic coupled with a fun-loving personality that is extremely rare.  We are so happy for him and his family, and so very proud of the man he has become. The Chicago Bears are fortunate to have him as part of their organization!,” Rowan head coach Jay Accorsi said last year following his addition to the Bears.

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