What new Penn State co-DC, safeties coach Anthony Poindexter said during Monday's presser
Penn State recently made a new hire for its 2021 coaching staff, bringing in Anthony Poindexter to be a co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach in Happy Valley. It was a move that helped James Franklin complete his staff for the upcoming season.
Poindexter joins the Penn State staff after spending the last four season at Purdue, working with Jeff Brohm. He held the same title as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach with the Boilermakers, so it should be a smooth transition for the new Nittany Lions assistant, especially by staying within the conference.
Before he joined Brohm in West Lafayette, Poindexter was a longtime assistant at Virginia, his alma mater. He was on staff with the Cavaliers from 2003-13 before taking a job at UConn from 2014-16.
In addition to his B1G experience, Poindexter has coached for nearly two decades.
On Monday, Poindexter met with the media for the first time since landing his new gig. Here’s what he had to say about taking a job at Penn State, recruiting, the current roster and what he hopes to accomplish in State College:
Poindexter on offering recruits: "It's guys that understand football and have a love and passion for it."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 8, 2021
Poindexter said he's known James Franklin since his coaching days at UVA: "We kinda had the same recruiting areas. We met each other and just became good buddies and kept up with each other. I've been watching him from afar…we've just been friends."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 8, 2021
Poindexter on watching the Nittany Lions growing up: "Most of the games I saw as a kid were Penn State games. It's every kid's dream to go to Penn State."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 8, 2021
Poindexter on the safeties: "They're just good kids. Being around them, watching them work, how they opened their arms to me and my family. They've been very open with me and really are trying to understand my style."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 8, 2021
Poindexter on Jaquan Brisker's presence: "He's a beautiful kid and he has a lot to gain. He's coming back for all the right reasons."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 8, 2021
Poindexter on having versatility as a safety: "You look for a lot of guys like that — multiple position players. Just do a lot of everything on the backend. They're not limited in what I can ask them to do."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 8, 2021
Poindexter on Jonathan Sutherland: "I actually recruited him out of high school at UConn. For as good a player he is, he's an even better person. He's one of those guys I'm leaning on to help me with the playbook, he's really helping me get up to speed."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 8, 2021
Poindexter on his experience in the Big Ten: "Being in this conference for four years and knowing the style of ball and offenses, it definitely helps."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 8, 2021
