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Andy Kotelnicki was born and raised in Litchfield, Minn., a small town where everybody knows your name.
He was one of the most popular kids in middle school and high school, the center of attention because of his effervescent personality.
“Andy loved to have a good time,” said Jon Johnson, his high school football coach and physical education teacher. “He was fun. He was that kind of player. He always loved to connect with people. People loved Andy. People enjoyed being around him. We did, too.”
Kotelnicki enjoyed being around Johnson and John Carlson, the football team’s offensive coordinator and Litchfield’s head basketball coach who also taught phys ed. They were among several men who inspired the new Penn State offensive coordinator to choose coaching as a career a quarter-century ago.
“They made football fun,” Kotelnicki said. “They had this great way to get you to focus on getting things done.They were good about it. They knew when to rip my rear end. They knew when to hug me and love me.”
Penn State players have felt Kotelnicki’s love since he left Kansas last December to join James Franklin’s coaching staff. They enjoy his positivity, energy, enthusiasm and leadership.
“He carries himself like the head coach of the offense,” said quarterback Beau Pribula. “I think all of the players gravitate towards that. He has a good sense of humor. He’ll rib us, for sure, because we’re the quarterbacks, but he’ll rib everybody. He likes to joke and have fun with the players.
“He’s a great leader and a great offensive mind. So far it’s been nothing but good stuff.”
The games haven’t started yet, though. Franklin fired Mike Yurcich and hired Kotelnicki from Kansas to increase Penn State’s explosive plays and rejuvenate the offense.
To underscore how plodding the offense was at times…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-state-andy-kotelnicki-aims-124100576.html
Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.
Publish date : 2024-07-13 12:41:00
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