Penn State will have two interim defensive coordinators in the Peach Bowl; who are they?
STATE COLLEGE — Penn State head coach James Franklin has his plan for the defense in the Peach Bowl. He announced Friday at the team’s local media day that co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter and analyst Robb Smith will be co-defensive coordinators on that side of the bowl in the postseason. Both, of course, are filling in for Manny Diaz, who left last week to become the new head coach at Duke following two successful seasons in State College. Smith was elevated to a headset role at the end of the season when Mike Yurcich was fired. Franklin did not say who would call the plays on game day.
“Very similar to what we’re doing on offense with Ja’Juan Seider and Ty Howle, we’ll do the same thing on defense with Coach Poindexter and Robb Smith, will be the two guys on defense in a similar role to what we’re doing on offense.”
And, so, both will lead the defense in the postseason. Poindexter is the co-defensive coordinator. He’s been here a number of years. Smith came on board this year after stints at Duke, Minneosta, Rutgers, and elsewhere.
“Anthony, we’ve had really good conversations,” Franklin said. “And Robb is from Pennsylvania. We have a number of people that he trusts and I trust. He’s been a defensive coordinator, so he’s got a track record. He understands our program. The culture. Although he was more with the offense this year [as an analyst], he has a pretty good idea of what we’re doing and that’s part of it as well. Whenever you’re able to get these type of people in your building, there is value in it.”
The Lions and Rebels meet at Noon ET inside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium two weeks from tomorrow. ESPN will televise the contest.
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Full-time Penn State defensive coordinator job an ‘attractive’ position
Franklin has yet to hire Diaz’s replacement. It should happen sooner rather than later. He said he wished it had happened yesterday. It didn’t, and hasn’t as of Noon on Dec. 15. But, the 10th-year leader of the Lions, who is in search of the fourth defensive coordinator of his tenure, will not rush the decision.
More: Where is Penn State at in its defensive coordinator search? James Franklin offers an update
“Whenever you’re going to make a decision in leadership, football is unique,” Franklin said earlier this week. “Some of my position coaches are coaching more players than some other sports have on their entire team. This is an attractive position. I’ve been fortunate. I’ve had three defensive coordinators and they’ve all had top 10 defenses consistently. Penn State has played really good defense for a long time. So, between the school’s history and our short time playing defense around here, this is an attractive job for a lot of coaches.”
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