Penn State defensive analyst Dan Connor has seen his role increase significantly

When Dan Connor joined the Penn State football coaching staff in 2022, his role as a defensive analyst was limited. He couldn’t be on the field, whether it was during practices or games.

Because of a rule change that lifted that restriction, Connor’s role has increased significantly.

The former Nittany Lions and Strath Haven star not only is coaching linebackers but also sending in the defensive play calls to the middle linebacker via helmet transmission.

“It’s been a huge change,” Connor said Thursday. “I’ve been able to run the (linebackers) room, coach on the field and wear a headset on game day. I’m used to all of that stuff. It’s what I feel most comfortable doing.”

Defensive coordinator Tom Allen, the former Indiana head coach, is also listed as the Penn State linebackers coach. But he has allowed Connor to guide the linebackers and to communicate his play calls to Kobe King or Tyler Elsdon after moving upstairs to the press box after two games.

“It was very encouraging for him to have confidence in me to have the communication with the Mike (middle) linebacker on game day,” Connor said. “It’s a very important function and it’s really changed college football.

“I’m in Kobe’s ear and I can almost play it like a video game to help him make checks and help him anticipate things based on offensive formations, motions or anything like that. It’s been a huge advantage. The vote of confidence from Coach Allen meant a lot to me.”

Connor began coaching in 2014 after he endured a torn ACL, a fractured hip, a torn Achilles and a neck injury while playing six seasons in the NFL for Carolina, Dallas and the New York Giants.

Connor spent three seasons as linebackers coach at West Chester University, which went 26-9 in that stretch. He left to become head coach at Archbishop Carroll, which…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-state-defensive-analyst-dan-044700773.html

Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.

Publish date : 2024-11-08 04:47:00

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