Dan Connor

• A two-time first-team All-American linebacker and the 2007 Chuck Bednarik Award winner, Dan Connor enters his fourth season with the Nittany Lions and his first season officially as the team’s linebackers coach.
• Connor made the return to his alma mater in 2022 as a defensive analyst, spending the next two seasons working closely with the defensive staff.
• In 2024, he oversaw the Nittany Lions' linebacking unit, a group who played a significant role in Penn State ranking fourth in the FBS in interceptions, seventh in total defense (294.8), eighth in scoring defense (16.5), 10th in takeaways (26) and 13th in passes defended (72) during the 2024 season.
• Connor tutored a pair of All-Big Ten linebackers during the 2024 campaign in Kobe King (second team) and Tony Rojas (honorable mention), who was a first-year starter for the Lions.
• Rojas and fellow teammate Dominic DeLuca finished tied for second in interceptions among Big Ten linebackers in 2024.
• The duo each had a pick-six in the College Football Playoff win vs. SMU, with Rojas' going for 59 yards and DeLuca's going for 23 yards.
• With the pick-sixes by Rojas and DeLuca, Penn State was one of only two Power Four programs to have multiple linebackers record a pick-six in a single season.
• During the 2023 season, where Connor worked closely with the linebacker room, PSU put together one of its top defensive performances in school history, leading the country in sacks (49) and rushing defense (75.5), while finishing second in total defense (246.7), tackles for loss (111) and fewest first downs allowed (13.9), third in scoring defense (13.5), fifth in fumble recoveries (12), 7th in passing defense (172.1), 11th in passing efficiency defense (116.4) and 12th in takeaways (24).
• The 49 sacks were a school record for Penn State and the Lions finished in the top 10 is program history in rushing defense (3rd), total defense (4th), yards per carry allowed (T-5th), forced fumbles (T-9th) and fumble recoveries (T-9th).
• Abdul Carter was named a first-team All-Big Ten linebacker, while King and Curtis Jacobs each earned honorable mention honors.
• In Connor's first season on staff in 2022, Penn State propelled itself into one of the top defensive units in the nation, ranking 10th in the country in scoring defense and tied for ninth in takeaways.
• PSU led the Big Ten with 104 tackles for loss (T-4th nationally) and 42 sacks (T-6th), and 26 different Nittany Lions had at least a full tackle for loss, good for second in the nation.
• The Nittany Lions additionally had 16 players who recorded at least one sack, tied for the nation’s lead among Power Five teams.
• Penn State recorded at least seven tackles for loss in each of the last eight games of 2022 (Michigan, 7; Minnesota, 7, Ohio State, 7; Indiana, 16; Maryland, 9; Rutgers, 15, Michigan State, 7; Utah, 9).
• Carter earned All-Big Ten second team honors his freshman season while Jacobs picked up an honorable mention nod.
• Prior to Penn State, Connor served as the defensive coordinator at Widener University from the 2018 to 2021 seasons.
• During the 2018 season, Jordan Powell earned All-America honors as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Bears.
• Before joining the Widener staff, he was the head coach at Archbishop John Carroll High School for two seasons.
• He took part in the Nunn-Wooten NFL Scouting Fellowship with the Tennessee Titans, where he was a member of the scouting department during the Titans’ 2017 training camp.
• Connor began his coaching career as linebacker coach at West Chester University.
• West Chester went 18-6 during his two seasons with the program, including a trip to the 2014 NCAA Division II playoffs, advancing to the second round.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A PLAYER

• Connor suited up for six seasons for the Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants, making 216 tackles in 62 career games.
• He was a third round selection (74th overall) by Carolina in the 2008 draft, with his best season coming in 2011 when he started 11 games, making 75 tackles and forcing a fumble.
• Connor was a four-year letterman for the Nittany Lions (2004-07) and graduated as the school’s all-time leading tackler with 419 stops.
• He was a two-time All-American and earned the 2007 recipient of the Chuck Bednarik Award as the best defensive player in the country.

• Curtis Jacobs (Penn State) – Tennessee Titans

Personal

Year at Penn State: 4th
Hometown: Wallingford, Pennsylvania
Education: Penn State University, 2008 - B.A. Criminal Justice
Family: Wife: Angela; Sons: Murph, Jack

Coaching Career

2025-present - Penn State (Linebackers)
2022-24 - Penn State (Defensive Analyst)
2018-21 - Widener (Defensive Coordinator)
2016-17 - Archbishop John Carroll High School (Head Coach)
2014-15 - West Chester (Linebackers)

Playing Experience

• Penn State University (2004-07)
• Carolina Panthers (2008-11) - Linebacker
• Dallas Cowboys (2012) - Linebacker
• New York Giants (2013) - Linebacker
• Carolina Panthers (2013) - Linebacker

Postseason as a Coach

• 2024 CFP Semifinal - Penn State
• 2023 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl - Penn State
• 2023 Rose Bowl - Penn State