Penn State: Why Bill O'Brien Is a Coach Lions Fans Can Be Excited About

Just because nearly every coach the Nittany Lions have contacted has turned them down, doesn't mean they are going to stop looking. With their season coming to a close today against the Houston Cougars, they need to find a coach fast so they can build on next year.

Penn State has tried to find young coaches that have the goods, and they have declined. They've also tried taking the NFL route, and a few of them have politely declined as well. A few times it appeared that this program was just reaching for any coach that was willing to take over the position.  

But if the new rumors are true, Penn State could be in good hands moving forward.

Penn State has now moved their focus to current New England Patriots offensive coordinator, Bill O'Brien.

O'Brien may be in the NFL right now, but he does have college coaching experience unlike majority of the coaches in the NFL the Nittany Lions have went after.

He coached at Brown University for two seasons before holding multiple positions in seven years at Georgia Tech. 

He was also the running backs coach for Maryland and was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Duke. He has a total of 13 years experience at the college level.

Then of course, there's what he's done at New England. He's been with the Patriots since 2007 and has been the wide receivers coach, quarterbacks coach and now the offensive coordinator.

He knows offense and how to get the most out of his players. He even has the respect of future Hall of Famer Tom Brady.

"

He's been a great coach and friend...We have a great relationship; probably a very unique relationship in that we communicate all the time," Brady said. "I always enjoy working with him and he's done an incredible job with this team and this offense. He expects nothing less than our best. ... I don't know what's going to happen. I hope he's here for a long time and I told him that too.

"

Speaking of Brady, O'Brien is also not afraid to get in the face of his top players. If he can dish it out to one of the greatest players of all time when needed, kids on a Penn State squad should be no problem.

O'Brien has the collegiate experience and the offensive mind to turn this program around and make them a Big Ten team that can actually score. He's still young at the age of 42 and has shown the toughness and competitiveness it takes to succeed. 

If this hire actually happens, it will be one the Nittany Lions should be excited about.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist who covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]