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Report: Penn State poaches Minnesota for offensive coordinator
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P.J. Fleck will reportedly be looking for a new offensive coordinator over the next few weeks.
Thursday morning, Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press reported that Minnesota offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca is leaving the Gophers to take on the same role at Penn State. He becomes the second assistant from Fleck’s staff to leave for a job at another B1G school. Defensive line coach Jim Panagos left to work under Greg Schiano at Rutgers.
News of Ciarrocca’s departure comes just days before Minnesota plays Auburn in the Outback Bowl in Tampa on New Year’s Day. The Gophers finished the 2019 season with a 10-2 record, thanks in large part to its outstanding offensive play this year.
Penn State was in the market for a new offensive coordinator since Rickey Rahne took over the head coaching vacancy at Old Dominion. Rahne had served as the offensive coordinator under Franklin for the last two seasons with the Nittany Lions, replacing Joe Moorhead.
Minnesota ranked third in the B1G in scoring offense this season, averaging 34.3 points per game. It also finished fourth in total offense, posting a 426.8 yards per game average. The Gophers had a 1,000-yard rusher in Rodney Smith (1,094), two 1,000-yard receivers with Rashod Bateman (1,170) and Tyler Johnson (1,114). Quarterback Tanner Morgan threw for a B1G-best 2,975 yards.
Ciarrocca has been an interesting candidate for several FBS schools, but stuck with Fleck through the first three seasons at Minnesota. Penn State’s offer was too good, though, and Ciarrocca will have a change of scenery in 2019.
Penn State is preparing to play Memphis in the Cotton Bowl Classic on Saturday.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB