Feb. 1, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., - Head coach Bill O'Brien and his staff will welcome several hundred coaches from across the nation for the Penn State Annual Football Coaches Clinic, set for March 22-23 on the University Park campus.
The clinic will feature two days of lectures and demonstrations by the Nittany Lions' staff, led by O'Brien, who directed Penn State to wins in eight of its final 10 games last fall and a 6-2 Big Ten record. In his first season as head coach, O'Brien was selected the Bear Bryant, Maxwell Football Club and ESPN National Coach of the Year and the Big Ten-Dave McClain Coach of the Year.
The clinic will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 22, with final registration starting at 7:30 a.m. in Holuba Hall. O'Brien will speak to all clinic attendees Friday night prior to the coaches' social gathering.
During the 2012 season, the Penn State coaching staff engineered a dynamic, fast-paced offense that featured the Big Ten's passing leader (Matt McGloin), top receiver (Allen Robinson) and a running back (Zach Zwinak) who gained 100 yards six times in eight Big Ten games and 1,000 yards for the season. Penn State led the Big Ten in total offense (437.0 ypg) in conference games and was second in scoring offense (32.6 ppg) and second in pass offense (283.1 ypg) against Big Ten foes during the 2012 season.
The Nittany Lions featured one of the nation's premier defenses, leading the Big Ten and ranking No. 15 in the nation in sacks (2.8 per game). Penn State allowed 17 points or less in six games and was second in the conference and No. 16 nationally in scoring defense at 19.1 ppg. The Nittany Lions also ranked in the Top 30 nationally in rushing defense (23rd, 128.4 ypg), pass efficiency defense (28th) and total defense (29th, 353.4 ypg).
In 2012, Penn State had two All-Americans (Jordan Hill and Michael Mauti), one national award winner (Matt McGloin - Burlsworth Trophy), six first-team All-Big Ten selections and three individual conference award winners (Deion Barnes, Mauti and Robinson).
Penn State's annual spring gathering traditionally draws more than high school and youth league coaches from all parts of the country and beyond the United States.
The 2013 spring clinic will feature sessions with the Nittany Lions' offensive and defensive coaching staffs on March 22. Clinic attendees will have an opportunity to observe a full practice on March 23, as the Nittany Lions will be in the midst of spring practice. The Blue-White Game is April 20 in Beaver Stadium.
In addition, the clinic will include a presentation by Penn State's strength and conditioning staff, led by Craig Fitzgerald, Director of Strength and Conditioning for Football.
The clinic costs $60 per person and includes clinic materials, Friday's lunch and dinner and the coaches' Friday night social in the Ashenfelter Multi-Sport Facility.
Coaches interested in attending the clinic can register or get more information by visiting: http://www.gopsusports.com/camps/fb-coaches-clinic.html. Coaches also can get information by calling 814-865-0561, weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Penn State also will host several football camp opportunities on the University Park campus this June for its 39th annual summer football camps. Information and dates for the camps will be announced later this month.
Season tickets are available for the 2013 season. The Nittany Lions will host three teams that finished in the 2012 BCS Top 25: Michigan (Oct. 12-Homecoming), Nebraska (Nov. 23) and Kent State (Sept. 21). Purdue, Illinois and Eastern Michigan also will visit Beaver Stadium this fall. The Nittany Lions open the season Aug. 31 vs. Syracuse in MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.GoPSUsports.com or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.