When does Penn State football start spring practice?
Penn State football has set its 2024 spring practice schedule. The Nittany Lions will begin drills on Tues., March 12 and conclude them with the annual Blue-White game at 2 p.m. ET on Sat., April 13. In between, head coach James Franklin, who is preceding over his 11th set of March and April practices in State College, will lead his team through three weeks with three practices, one week with two due to the Easter holiday, and a final week where the team will take the field four times, including the trip to Beaver Stadium for the public scrimmage.
Three new coordinators will be on the field for the Lions. Starting with Andy Kotelnicki, he takes over the offense for Mike Yurcich, who was let go with two regular season games to go back in November.
“Energetic is definitely one of the first words that come to mind,” quarterback Drew Allar said in late December. “I think him getting here during the bowl prep has been huge for him, just because he’s been able to get around the coaching staff and get himself familiar with them and how they operate as a staff.
“Also, just getting around the players and having meetings with us and kind of get to know us more when we’re in the building, and kind of get to know us away from the field as well. I think that’s been very beneficial to [him]. I love being around him. He brings a really positive mindset to the offense and a lot of energy. I’m very excited for him to be here.”
More: Winter outlook: Penn State backfield expected to boast talent, depth
On defense, former Indiana coach Tom Allen takes over for Manny Diaz, who left for the head coaching job at Duke.
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“He’s a great guy,” returning safety Kevin Winston Jr., said. “I’ve talked to Tom Allen a number of times. He brings the energy. When we see him interacting and things like that, he brings the energy. That’s what you’ve got to have on defense, that energy and that juice.
“Seeing that he has that to him, I’m looking forward to getting to know him more and seeing what else he brings to the table. What I’ve seen lately, I’m very excited to be coached by him next year.”
Last but not least, Justin Lustig is the just-hired new special teams coordinator. He comes from Vanderbilt and takes over for Stacy Collins, who left the Lions to return to Boise State.
Full 2024 Penn State spring practice schedule
Here’s a look at the tentative schedule:
Tuesday – March 12
Thursday – March 14
Saturday – March 16
Tuesday – March 19
Thursday – March 21
Saturday – March 23
Tuesday – March 26
Friday – March 29
Tuesday – April 2
Thursday – April 4
Saturday– April 6
Tuesday – April 9
Thursday – April 11
Friday – April 12
Saturday – April 13 (Blue-White Game, 2 p.m.)
