UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Football Head Coach James Franklin announced John Scott Jr. as the defensive line coach Saturday.
"We are thrilled to welcome John, Blakely, John III and Juliette to our Penn State family," Franklin said. "We believe John will continue to build on the defensive line success we've fostered since our arrival at Penn State. He has an impressive coaching resume with experience in the NFL, Big 12 and SEC. John's diverse accomplishments separated him from the rest of the candidates throughout the hiring process. In addition, his long-standing relationship with Brent Pry at Georgia Southern, Louisiana-Lafayette and Western Carolina ensures he'll hit the ground running as we enter spring ball. His attention to techniques, fundamentals and the appropriate mentality needed to guarantee we continue to compete at the highest levels of college football. We're also excited to welcome his wife, Blakely, back to Penn State where she served on the ICA Mental Task Force in 2012."
"I am very thankful for the opportunity Coach Franklin has given me," Scott Jr. said. "Coach Franklin is a tremendous leader who has the program on the rise and I'm excited be a part of it. I can't wait to work with Coach [Brent] Pry and the defensive staff. I have known Coach Pry for more than 20 years as a player, graduate assistant and position coach, and he has definitely had an impact on my career. I can't wait to get rolling with the defensive line and continue to build on the tradition they have established."
Scott Jr. joins the Nittany Lions after spending the 2019 season at South Carolina as the defensive line coach. Under Scott Jr.'s guidance, Javon Kinlaw was named first-team All-SEC by the coaches. Prior to joining the Gamecocks staff, Scott Jr. spent two seasons at Arkansas as the defensive tackles coach in 2018 and defensive line coach in 2017.
The native of Greer, South Carolina, worked with the NFL's New York Jets in 2015 and 2016. The Jets led the NFL in rushing touchdowns allowed and red zone defense and were second in rushing defense and fourth in total defense in 2015. In 2016, the Jets finished fifth in the AFC in rushing defense and rushing touchdowns allowed. Defensive tackle Leonard Williams earned Pro Bowl recognition that season.
As the defensive line coach at Texas Tech (2013-14), Scott Jr. guided Kerry Hyder and Branden Jackson to the NFL Combine. Hyder earned All-Big 12 second-team accolades in 2013.
Scott Jr. spent three seasons as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Georgia Southern (2010-12), including one with Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry. Scott Jr. helped the Eagles to a pair of FCS semifinal appearances. He mentored Brent Russell, who was a three-time All-American under Scott Jr. and finished as the GSU career sacks leader. Scott Jr. led Roderick Tinsley to All-America status and helped John Douglas earn All-Southern Conference laurels in 2011. Tinsley was also a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award for FCS's top defensive player in 2010.
Scott Jr. also spend time at Missouri State (2009; outside linebackers), Western Carolina (2006-08; defensive ends/outside linebackers), Norfolk State (2005; defensive line), Louisiana-Lafayette (2002-04; defensive graduate assistant) and Western Davidson (N.C.) (2001). All three of his seasons at ULL were alongside Pry.
A 2000 graduate of Western Carolina with a degree in communications, Scott Jr. was a four-year letterman for the Catamount and an All-Southern Conference selection as a defensive end in 1998. He had 31 career tackles for loss, which ranks 10th in Western Carolina history. Scott Jr. also earned a master's degree in education from Louisiana-Lafayette in 2006.
Scott Jr. and his wife, Blakely Low-Scott, have one son, John, and one daughter, Juliette.
Franklin also announced titles changes for three staff members. Complete staff list with new titles (in italics) is below.
2020 Penn State Football Coaching Staff
James Franklin Head Coach
Kirk Ciarrocca Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Brent Pry Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Joe Lorig Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
Tim Banks Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Tyler Bowen Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends
John Scott Jr. Defensive Line
Ja'Juan Seider Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs
Terry Smith Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Recruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacks
Taylor Stubblefield Wide Receivers
Phil Trautwein Offensive Line
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and reserving new season tickets for the 2020 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 9 a.m-4:30 p.m.
More than 2,000 new season tickets have already been reserved for the 2020 campaign.
