What new Penn State OC Mike Yurcich said during Tuesday press conference
Penn State made a change at the offensive coordinator position this offseason. After just one year with Kirk Ciarrocca running the show, head coach James Franklin thought it was best for the program to move on and bring a new face to run the offense.
That new face is Mike Yurcich, who spent last season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas. He also had a one-year stop at Ohio State (2019) and spent six seasons at Oklahoma State in the same role (2013-18).
After a 4-5 season and some struggles offensively during the 2020 season, Penn State is looking to get back into the upper echelon of the B1G and compete with Ohio State for a conference title. Franklin is hoping Yurcich can be the guy to help the Nittany Lions make that next step.
On Tuesday, Yurcich met with the media for the first time since taking the job in Happy Valley. He discussed his offensive plan, his relationship with head coach James Franklin and what he wants to see from his players when things get rolling in spring and fall practices.
Here’s what Yurcich had to say on Tuesday:
New Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich is holding his first ZOOM call with reporters since arriving in State College. He starts by sharing how the coaches he learned from throughout his career have shaped his offense.
— Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) February 2, 2021
Mike Yurcich wouldn't say if he had ever formally interviewed with James Franklin prior to this time around, but not the first time those two had talked "over the years"
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) February 2, 2021
Mike Yurcich in his office in Lasch.
On tempo: "It can harm ya if you're not careful. … You're trying to exhaust them. Trying to wear them out and get huffing and puffing." pic.twitter.com/KuG89AfPWD
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) February 2, 2021
The three hallmarks of Mike Yurcich's offense? "We want to be a physical offense, two, we want to be a smart offense, three, we want to be a skilled offense," he says.
— Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) February 2, 2021
"It's not gonna be a Mike Yurcich offense, it's gonna be a Penn State offense," he said.
Tough, smart and skilled are the goals. Says he's won with different types of QBs over the years.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) February 2, 2021
Yurcich on red zone success: "You have to weigh the options of how much you're gonna run the quarterback, when you're gonna give it to the tailback. You also have to be very efficient in your play action pass down there."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) February 2, 2021
I asked Mike Yurcich what he's seen from Sean Clifford and if he believes Clifford has the tools to rebound and be his starting QB: "Comments on individual players I’m not gonna give them right now. I think it’s best for me to approach this very non-judgmental," he said.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) February 2, 2021
"It's been a juggle between installation and recruiting, and you're trying to get to know your players at the same time," Yurcich added.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) February 2, 2021
🚨QB under center? Fullback use? Power football? @NeilRudel bringing the heat today 🚨
"It's great," Yurcich said. "I love power football. There's a time to go under center. … The fullback does have its advantages (or if it's a TE)."
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) February 2, 2021
On the quarterback going under center (courtesy of @NeilRudel), Penn State's Mike Yurcich says: "There's a time to go under center, I think it provides a lot of advantages. … "I think playing under center has a tremendous amount of advantages based on what your schemes are."
— Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) February 2, 2021
Yurcich on developing quarterbacks: "It's always a challenge…Our eyes have to be right and our feet have to be right. If you have those things going for you on each play, then you have a chance for success."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) February 2, 2021
