College football media, fans react to Penn State's sudden change at offensive coordinator

Kirk Ciarrocca is out at Penn State as offensive coordinator, a piece of shocking news as head coach James Franklin swooped in with a replacement in former Texas offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich.

It was just one season in Happy Valley for Ciarrocca, who has strong ties to the Big Ten with stops at Minnesota and Rutgers earlier in his career.

The highly-regarded offensive coordinator has had success at nearly every collegiate stop and Penn State didn’t seem to be any different.

Penn State had the third best scoring offense in the Big Ten and was second only behind Ohio State in total offense.

In comes Yurcich, who previously coached at Oklahoma State, Ohio State and Texas.

News of Ciarrocca’s release made waves on the internet:

What Penn State fans really want to know: According to @SportsInfo_SIS, Texas attempted 3 red zone fades last year compared to Penn State’s 8

— Matt Brown (@MattBrownCFB) January 8, 2021

Wow, big move for Penn State. Change at offensive coordinator after one season. https://t.co/YAswZAPqls

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) January 8, 2021

At the time Ciarrocca seemed like a home run hire, and even biggest critics were likely to have given him the benefit of another run in 2021. So change – relative to results – is not a necessarily a shock but timing seems very quick.

— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) January 8, 2021

While many outside the program were vocal about wanting an OC change, Franklin kept talking about needing more time, needing stability after the most unusual offseason where PSU had 4 coaching changes last year.

But, it's another year, another new OC for QB Sean Clifford.

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) January 8, 2021

Big move. Two OCs in two years at Penn State. https://t.co/2QbnS2bTCz

— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) January 8, 2021

Wow, #PennState hires Mike Yurcich as offensive coordinator. Kirk Ciarrocca is out after just one year. Had heard James Franklin was looking to make several changes after the season, and this is a huge one.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 8, 2021

JAMES FRANKLIN’S OFF-SEASON:

• Has the 2nd ranked recruiting class in 2022
• Brought in 4 transfers who started at their last school
• Got two of his best players to return in 2021
• Made a big move at OC

It’s January 8

🔥🔥🔥

— I love the portal (@PSU_Strong) January 8, 2021

James Franklin looking to recapture some of that magic that made Shippensburg a PSAC monster back in 2012 https://t.co/WTQv9IaHiP

— Bill Landis (@BillLandis25) January 8, 2021

James Franklin ain't wasting any time. Per the numbers, Yurcich produced the best offense the best Texas offense during the Tom Herman era. https://t.co/tfICi9uDmc

— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) January 8, 2021

Wow, #PennState hires Mike Yurcich as offensive coordinator. Kirk Ciarrocca is out after just one year. Had heard James Franklin was looking to make several changes after the season, and this is a huge one.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 8, 2021