Larry Johnson leaving Penn State coaching staff

Larry Johnson, the longest-tenured assistant coach in the Penn State football program and one of the nation's top recruiters, has turned down an offer by new head coach James Franklin to be on his staff and will leave the Nittany Lions, the Harrisburg Patriot-News reported Monday night.

Johnson, 61, who spent 18 years at Penn State as an assistant, the last 14 as defensive line coach under Joe Paterno and Bill O'Brien, said he twice met with the new boss and was told he could continue in his position, the newspaper said.

However, Johnson, the interim head coach from the time of O'Brien's departure on Dec. 31 to Franklin's hiring last week, decided against sticking around.

"I've thought a lot about this," he told the Patriot-News. "I've prayed about it and this is what I want to do. I wish coach Franklin and Penn State the best, but it's time for me. It's a very difficult time, but I want to thank the fans, the players, and Penn State. I mean that."

During Penn State's search for a new head coach, Johnson was one of five candidates to interview before the hiring of Franklin last week. He also had been a candidate two years earlier before O'Brien won the job.

In a Jan. 3 interview, Johnson said he felt he did not need to sell himself to the search committee.

"I'm not a salesperson," he said then. "I am who I am and I'm going to let my work stand for itself. I believe in my principles and my passion for the university and the players."

Current and former players had flooded Twitter over the last two weeks with support for Johnson. He built up a loyal following through the years, coaching such NFL players as Tamba Hali, Jimmy Kennedy, Aaron Maybin, Jared Odrick, Devon Still and Jordan Hill.

Franklin said he hoped to have a coaching staff in place by Wednesday, the last day of the NCAA's "dead period" when no in-person recruiting can take place. In-person visits can resume on Thursday.

Franklin said Saturday that he is loyal to the people who have worked on his staff, and indications are that most of his staff will be made up of his Vanderbilt assistant coaches.

Johnson's two sons, Larry, an All-American running back in 2002, and Tony, a receiver, played for Penn State.

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Penn State players who signed letters of intent and enrolled Monday for the spring semester:

DT Antoine White, 6-1, 275, Millville/Millville, N.J.

DT Tarow Barney, 6-1, 290, Bainbridge (Ga.)/Northwest Mississippi C.C./Gainesville, Fla.

QB Michael O'Connor, 6-4, 226, IMG Academy/Ottawa, Ontario

WR DeAndre Thompkins, 5-11, 171, Swansboro/Hubert, N.C.

OT Chasz Wright, 6-7, 268, C.D. Hylton/Milford Academy (N.Y.)/Woodbridge, Va.