Ad Disclosure
Lane Kiffin describes challenge of facing Penn State with new coordinators
Published:
Lane Kiffin will have the tough task of preparing for some different offensive and defensive coordinators for the Peach Bowl.
Penn State started off the season with Mike Yurcich at OC and Manny Diaz at DC. Yurcich has since parted ways with Penn State and Diaz accepted the head coaching position at Duke. The offensive and defensive play calling duties will be handled by a pair of assistants on each side of the ball.
Kiffin argued that while people think that benefits Ole Miss, they couldn’t be more wrong at Tuesday’s Peach Bowl presser. There’s no telling what the co-OCs and DCs will do.
“Like opening a season with no preseason games. … People would think that’s in our favor with Manny Diaz leaving, but that presents challenges, too,” said Kiffin. “We don’t have any idea what they’re gonna do.”
Lane Kiffin on preparing for Penn State, who is playing with co-coordinators on both sides of the ball:
“Like opening a season with no-preseason games.”
Kiffin says people might think it favors Ole Miss, but they have no idea what new coordinators will do.#CFAPeachBowl
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) December 26, 2023
Asked Lane Kiffin on Zoom today how Penn State having interim co-coordinators on both sides of the ball affects game prep.
“People would think that’s in our favor w/Manny Diaz leaving, but that presents challenges, too. We don’t have any idea what they’re gonna do” pic.twitter.com/3LNuuawvFA
— Max Ralph (@maxralph_) December 26, 2023
The defense of Penn State is something that Kiffin was especially wary of. It doesn’t matter where they play on that side of the ball, they bring it week in and week out.
“Obviously they have great players, elite talent, great coaching but they play really hard and physical — whether at home or on the road…these guys bring an old-school mentality with new-school elite talent.” said Kiffin.
Coach Kiffin on Penn State defense: “Obviously they have great players, elite talent, great coaching but they play really hard and physical — whether at home or on the road…these guys bring an old-school mentality with new-school elite talent.”
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) December 26, 2023
The Nittany Lions allowed the fewest yards per game in the Big Ten this season with 223.3 yards per game.
Grant Bricker was a former freelancer for The News TN in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. He now freelances for Saturday Football. Follow on Twitter @GrantBricker.
