New PSU coach Bill O'Brien wants Johnson to stay because of his talents on the recruiting trail.
STATE COLLEGE -- At least one of Penn State's highly-regarded assistant coaches will be staying in town.
Longtime defensive line coach Larry Johnson, known for his player development and recruiting, was welcomed aboard to the staff of new Nittany Lion head coach Bill O'Brien.
Johnson said he was offered the position Friday, told O'Brien of his decision around 1 a.m. Saturday and began telling his lineman several hours later.
O'Brien made the announcement during his own introductory press conference Saturday at the Nittany Lion Inn.
Though Johnson remains in his same position, O'Brien said he also will ask him to "guide us through the recruiting
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process these three weeks because he knows a lot about these guys."This season, Johnson developed his seventh first-team All-American (Devon Still) in the past 12 years.
He also is considered arguably the top recruiter on staff with particular success in Maryland and Washington, D.C., where he coached for years in high school.
He joined Penn State's staff in 1996.
"I'm not looking for the next biggest job. I'm looking for ways to continue to impact young people's lives," Johnson said Saturday. "And I got the chance to do that (at Penn State), with guys I'm recruiting right now. It's not about going somewhere else. It's about continuing to make an impact.
"The reason I'm here is because guys play for me here, and I have a purpose. When you know that, it's easy to make a decision and move in that direction. I know my employers are happy. I know I'm happy because I get the chance to do what I want to do.
"I could be out the door, but I get a chance to stay and do what I do best."
The toughest part, he said, is not knowing yet what's in store for his co-workers. He was the first to meet with O'Brien, though athletic director Dave Joyner said that was a coincidence in scheduling.
"I feel for those guys who will have to make changes in their lives," Johnson said of the other Penn State assistants. "That's what I struggle with now."
He is excited, though, to recruit again and help finalize this class.
"For us going on the road now, it's easier because we've got a plan, we got a vision."
He's also excited for his current players.
One of the first he told of his news was junior tackle Jordan Hill from Steel High -- another potential All-America candidate next fall.
"He's pretty psyched," Johnson said.
His mentors: O'Brien said he looks up to and continues to be friendly with former bosses Mark Whipple (Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach), George O'Leary (Central Florida head coach) and Ralph Friedgen (former Maryland head coach).A reporter asked if Friedgen could possibly join O'Brien's new staff.
Friedgen is an offensive coach.
"Oh, wow, I haven't even talked to Ralph. I got a text from him. I'm looking forward to talking with him. As far as being a part of the staff, we're in the process of putting together a staff ...
"I told you what Ralph means to me and my career. I'm sure he's got a voicemail message on my phone right now."
It's his playbook: O'Brien said he will call his own offensive plays from the sideline during his first year as head coach.
Penn State love: O'Brien said he grew up following the Nittany Lions when he was a kid in Andover, Mass.
"I was the type of person who always loved to watch them because of the helmets and the uniforms, black cleats, no names on the back of jerseys and also because of the man on the sidelines, Coach Paterno.
"There will never be enough words to say what he did for this program as far as wins, as far as graduating kids. I can't wait to meet him."
Don't believe what you hear: Joyner told reporters that the Penn State position was pursued by many, despite its length and rumors of the struggles filling it.
"It's been said people ran away from this job," he said. "I won't reveal names and places, but the interest in this job, by what all of you would consider very high-level coaches, was extremely high. Even last week I was still getting resumes from people who could have been coaches here."
He was close: Tom Bradley was a true candidate for the job, one of the few who was interviewed, Joyner said.
Bradley received "a lot of serious consideration. He's a fine person, he's a great coach."
No worries about Urban: O'Brien downplayed the challenge of recruiting against new Ohio State coach Urban Meyer.
"I don't know if it's recruiting against Urban Meyer . It's more about recruiting for Penn State and selling Penn State. It's not anybody against Urban Meyer. It's about. 'Hey, here's what we have to offer here'"
Reaching out: O'Brien said he understands the emotion and even angst expressed by former Penn State players over the search process.
"I'm going to be on the phone working 24/7, in addition to recruiting, trying to talk to as many guys who played here. Penn State is about the guys who played here, in addition to Coach Paterno.
"And they'll have my number too. They can call me any time."
@YDRPennState; 771-2104
Source: http://www.ydr.com/psu/ci_19696625?source=rss
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