Penn State Football: 5 Things Bill O'Brien Hasn't Changed at Penn State

Bill O'Brien has invoked an open attitude toward Penn State practices, and he has been very open to relationships with the media.

Those were not common themes during Joe Paterno's reign on the Nittany Lion sidelines.

O'Brien has switched up the mindset where some things are concerned, but he has also kept many things the same. Penn State football is steeped in tradition, and too many drastic alterations could hurt that.

Let's take a look at five things O'Brien hasn't changed as Penn State's new head coach.

Work Ethic

Joe Paterno didn't tolerate laziness, mental mistakes or disrespect during his reign as Penn State's skipper.

That work ethic has carried over into Bill O'Brien's tenure.

I wish this wasn't a surprise. Hard work among college athletes should be commonplace. But some athletes do not buy into it, and some coaches do not strictly enforce it.

O'Brien demands maximum effort from his players on the field. He also expects his student-athletes to work hard in the classroom.

Keeping with this trend continues the ethical framework laid down during Paterno's coaching career.

Dedication

This one goes mainly for the offensive lineman on this year's Penn State squad.

Mac McWhorter, the Nittany Lions new offensive line coach, has instituted a new strength and conditioning regimen for the hogs up front.

That may sound like a change, but the reaction it invokes doesn't.

Offensive lineman have bought into this new regimen. This showcases Penn State's normal dedication to the game's finer points.

O'Brien didn't make a conscious decision to keep dedication at the same level, but Penn State's players obviously respect him, and his staff, enough to make it happen.

Offensive linemen must be strong. Hopefully McWhorter's regimen shows results on the field as well.

Competitive Attitude

O'Brien wants to bring marquee non-conference opponents to Penn State's future schedules, according to Neil Rudel of the Altoona Mirror.

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O'Brien is also interested a high-profile intersectional game early and has mentioned Alabama, Southern Cal and Stanford as potential possibilities. "Whether it's a neutral site or here - maybe it's at Met-Life Stadium or Fed-Ex Field or Gillette Stadium playing a traditional power, I think, would be great for college football."

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Penn State's non-conference schedule has been the subject of criticism in the past, but Paterno brought an ultra-competitive attitude to the table every year.

O'Brien's statements concerning teams like USC, Alabama and Stanford should excite Nittany Lion fans.

It shows a commitment to becoming a prime program. But more importantly it shows that Penn State's will to compete hasn't gone anywhere.

Integrity

O'Brien has handled every press conference and public meeting with precision. His integrity shines through with each passing moment.

Nittany Lion fans take tremendous pride in their school's sterling reputation. Outside of last year's continuous nightmare, that reputation has remained unblemished over time.

O'Brien seems intent on keeping that ideal intact. He isn't shy about his goals with the team, but he wants to attack them in the right way.

Penn State fans wondered about the moral compass of their new hiring. They were used to Paterno's selfless moral code.

O'Brien doesn't show any signs of disappointing Penn State's loyal followers.

Team Spirit

Beaver Stadium's enormous expanses make it tough for team spirit to diminish with, or without, Paterno's legendary presence on the Nittany Lion sidelines.

It is supposed to seat around 107,000 people, but it has seen its attendees clear 110,000 (September of 2002).

Penn State's fanbase is unflappable. O'Brien's attitude has solidified their unwavering devotion to their beloved blue-and-white.

The Nittany Lions ran the risk of hiring the wrong coach, or just the wrong fit, and alienating their bewildered fans. Instead, O'Brien was hired.

He is the right man for the job. He's made his own mark on the program while maintaining the same standard of excellence Penn State fans have come to expect.

Because of this, Beaver Stadium will have no trouble filling up.