Rival offensive coordinator 'expected' to interview for WVU football coaching vacancy
By Joseph Smith
While it's been less than three hours since West Virginia dumped football coach Neal Brown after a six-year tenure, it appears a familiar face from a rival program is already set to interview for the opening.
According to West Virginia football reporter Mike Asti of WV Sports Now, current Penn State and former Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is "expected" to interview for the position.
Source: Penn State OC Andy Kotelnicki expects to interview for the now open WVU head coach position.
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) December 1, 2024
Kotelnicki has helmed a Penn State offensive that has paced the team to an 11-1 regular season finish and an opportunity at the Big 10 Championship -- his offense put up 457 yards and 34 points on WVU in Week 1 this season. Penn State is averaging 33.3 points per game (30th in FBS) and 442 yards per game (19th in FBS) this year.
Kotelnicki has extensive Big 12 experience with a three-year stint as offensive coordinator under Lance Leipold at Kansas. Leipold and his staff turned Kansas from a cellar-dwelling team in the league to a 9-4 conference title contender during Kotelnicki's tenure.
His offense at Kansas ranked 12th in FBS in 20+ yard plays (8.3%), 15th in 30+ yard plays (3.89%) and 11th in 40+ yard plays (2.12%) during his stint in Lawrence. Additionally, KU ranked 10th in FBS in15+ yard pass plays (20.97%) in the last three years.
The Jayhawks also tallied 40+ points in nine games and 50+ points in five games, during his time with the program. Kansas managed 400 total yards in 20 games and 500 total yards in 11 games, while rushing for 200 yards in 16 games and 300 yards in three games during tenure. His Kansas offense also finished11th in red zone touchdown percentage (68.24%) and 16th in third down conversion percentage (44.9%). Kotelnicki has no head coaching experience but has spent 10 total seasons as an FBS coordinator.
During his time at Kansas, the program went 1-1 against WVU -- Kotelnicki's offense gained 755 total yards and outscored WVU 83-76 during those two games. During his career, Kotelnicki is 2-1 overall against WVU as a coordinator and 2-0 at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Penn State was ranked No. 3 in the latest AP Poll, and are set to battle No. 1 Oregon this Saturday in the Big 10 Championship -- the winner should clinch a top four seed and bye in the College Football Playoff. It is unknown when he would leave State College if he interviews and is awarded the job, or if he'll finish postseason play as coordinator.