Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009, 5:22 PM | 4 comments |
 

LJ staying
options
 

Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson has decided not to accept a job offer from Illinois and will stay with the Nittany Lions, the Harrisburg Patriot-News reported this afternoon.

Inquirer sources confirmed the news.

This past weekend Johnson met with Illinois coach Ron Zook and was offered the defensive coordinator position along with a significant raise. According to a source close to Johnson, he mulled over the decision and seriously entertained the idea of leaving. The 57-year-old assistant then met with head coach Joe Paterno yesterday. Apparently, he chose to stay after that meeting.

The staff was informed of his staying today. It is not clear if Johnson was offered a promotion or a raise. A team source, though, said that Johnson's staying is not money related.

Johnson has become Penn State's best  recruiter and has had a hand in securing 11 of the Lions' 23 commitments for their incoming class.

Check tomorrow's newspaper or online for more on this breaking story.

 

 
Posted by Jeff McLane @ 5:22 PM  Permalink | 4 comments
4
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:05 PM, 01/15/2009
    YES!!!
    — PhillyNittanyLion
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:07 PM, 01/15/2009
    HUGE!!!! Thanks LJ - We appreciate it!! Hoping you get the money and promotion you deserve in the PSU Fam...
    — Jonesy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:52 PM, 01/15/2009
    This is great news for PSU...sometimes money and fame are not the only answer....
    — psuwelsh


4 comments
About Joe Juliano
Joe Juliano has been a staff writer for The Inquirer for 20 years, covering college sports, golf and the Penn Relays.

This season is Joe's fourth season on the paper's Penn State beat. He previously covered the Nittany Lions for United Press International from 1976 to 1984.

Joe McIntyre is a senior at Penn State majoring in journalism. He covered the Penn State football beat in 2011 for the Daily Collegian. Follow him on Twitter here @JoeMcIntyre5.
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