Penn State defensive analyst Dan Connor has taken on added responsibilities this season. (Mark Selders/For MediaNews Group)
By Rich Scarcella
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.
But a rule change that lifted that restriction has increased Connor’s role significantly.
The former Nittany Lions and Strath Haven star not only is coaching linebackers but 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 unit and to communicate his play calls to Kobe King or Tyler Elsdon after moving upstairs to the press box after two games.
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