Penn State is gearing up for an Outback Bowl appearance vs. Arkansas with the Nittany Lions recently landing a new DC. With Brent Pry leaving to take the Virginia Tech job, James Franklin and Penn State were quick to grab ex-Miami head coach Manny Diaz.

However, Diaz will not make his Penn State debut during this year’s Outback Bowl. On Friday, Franklin announced that Anthony Poindexter will call the defense in the bowl game.

Poindexter started as Penn State’s co-DC and safeties coach this season. He previously served as Purdue’s co-DC (2017-20) and has experience as a DC at UConn (2014-16).

When discussing the hiring of Diaz, Franklin went on to say the decision was about Penn State landing the most experienced DC available. As for Diaz’s experience as a head coach, that was a “bonus” for Franklin and the Nittany Lions.

While fans will have to wait to see a Diaz-led defense, getting an assistant of his caliber will be a big boost for Penn State.