Which Penn State coaches will be in the booth, on the field, in 2022?
The Penn State football program has decided where its assistant coaches will be on game day during the 2022 season.
Only two members of head coach James Franklin’s 10-man on-field staff will watch each game from the press box. Everyone else will take in the weekly action from field level.
That list includes all three Penn State coordinators. Mike Yurcich, who of course calls plays on offense, explained last summer why he prefers to do his work from the sideline instead of the booth.
“Well, I think it’s important from a leadership standpoint to be able to rally the troops, so to speak, and to be able to look Cliff in the eye and have a good conversation with him,” Yurcich said. “As well as clear communication with any adjustments that we need on the field, to be able to talk to each personnel grouping, be able to talk to Coach Franklin.
“I just think that communication is very critical, and at the same time, you have to have good eyes up in the box be able to trust them.”
Yurcich’s eyes will be tight ends coach Ty Howle, who also worked from there last year.
“It’s critical that we have consistent information flowing from the box to the field,” Yurcich said. “In the past, it’s always been good, as long as the information is 100%.
Manny Diaz has never addressed (that we could find) his reasoning for calling plays from the field. But, he did so as a head coach, when he had no choice, of course. Thus, it makes sense that he’d be comfortable working from there.
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As for Stacy Collins, almost all special teams coordinators work from the sideline. So, that is not a surprise, either.
Complete Penn State field/booth breakdown
Here’s a look at the breakdown courtesy of this week’s Penn State game notes:
On the field
Mike Yurcich, offensive coordinator
Manny Diaz, defensive coordinator
Stacy Collins, special teams coordinator
Ja’Juan Seider, running backs coach
Taylor Stubblefield, receivers coach
Phil Trautwein, offensive line coach
John Scott Jr., defensive line coach
Terry Smith, corners coach
In the booth
Ty Howle, tight ends coach
Anthony Poindexter, co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach
Penn State will travel to West Lafayette, Ind., on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s opener at Purdue. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on FOX. The Lions are currently listed as a 3.5-point favorite.
“I am excited about the opportunity” head coach James Franklin said on Monday. “It’s kind of strange opening on a Thursday. We kind of catch ourselves talking on different days of the week, but it’s been our normal routine, which has been nice.
“It also allowed us to come into camp a little bit earlier. I like opening on a Thursday, it also gives you some advantages going into week two as well. It should be a great environment and I’m really looking forward to this opportunity for our players.”
