STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — In seven months on the job, Bill O’Brien has turned into much more than just the new leader of the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Perhaps no head coach has ever inherited such a challenge in his rookie campaign.
The football team is again caught in the spotlight of a child sex abuse scandal that had nothing to do with the players. An internal school investigation said former coach Joe Paterno and three other school officials concealed abuse allegations against retired defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
O’Brien has said his program would not forget abuse victims, while at the same time keep players focused on getting ready for the upcoming season.
Guard John Urschel called O’Brien has been the team’s rock since he arrived in Happy Valley in January.
